Combining directed evolution with high cell permeability for high‐level cadaverine production in engineered Escherichia coli

Abstract The biosynthesis of cadaverine from lysine is an environmentally promising technology, that could contribute to a more sustainable approach to manufacturing bio‐nylon 5X. However, the titer of biosynthesized cadaverine has still not reached a sufficient level for industrial production. A powerful green cell factory was developed to enhance cadaverine production by regulating lipopolysaccharide (LPS) genes and improving membrane permeability. Firstly, 10 LPS mutant strains were constructed and the effect on the growth was investigated. Then, the lysine decarboxylase (CadA) was overexpressed in 10 LPS mutant strains of Escherichia coli MG1655 and the ability to produce cadaverine was compared. Using 20.0 g L −1 of L‐lysine hydrochloride (L‐lysine‐HCl) as the substrate for the biotransformation reaction, Cad02 and Cad06 strains exhibited high production levels of cadaverine, with 8.95 g L −1 and 7.55 g L −1 respectively while the control strain Cad00 only 4.92 g L −1 . Directed evolution of CadA was also used to improve its stability under alkaline conditions. The cadaverine production of the Cad02‐M mutant stain increased by 1.86 times at pH 8.0. Finally, the production process was scaled up using recombinant whole cells as catalysts, achieving a high titer of 211 g L −1 cadaverine (96.8%) by fed‐batch bioconversion. This study demonstrates the potential role of LPS in enhancing the efficiency of mass transfer between substrate and enzymes in vivo by increasing cell permeability. The results indicate that the argumentation of cell permeability could not only significantly enhance the biotransformation efficiency of cadaverine, but also provide a universally applicable, straightforward, environment‐friendly, and cost‐effective method for the biosynthesis of other high‐value chemicals.