Directed evolution and characterization of Escherichia coli glucosamine synthase

Glucosamine synthase (GlmS) converts fructose-6-phosphate to glucosamine-6-phosphate. Overexpression of GlmS in Escherichia coli increased synthesis of glucosamine-6-P, which was dephosphorylated and secreted as glucosamine into the growth medium. The E. coli glmS gene was improved through error-prone polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in order to develop microbial strains for fermentation production of glucosamine. Mutants producing higher levels of glucosamine were identified by a plate cross-feeding assay and confirmed in shake flask cultures. Over 10 mutants were characterized and all showed significantly reduced sensitivity to inhibition by glucosamine-6-phosphate. Ki of mutants ranged from 1.4 to 4.0 mM as compared to 0.56 mM for the wild type enzyme. Product resistance resulted from single mutations (L468P, G471S) and/or combinations of mutations in the sugar isomerase domain. Most overexpressed GlmS protein was found in the form of inclusion bodies. Cell lysate from mutant 2123-72 contained twice as much soluble GlmS protein and enzyme activity as the strain overexpressing the wild type gene. Using the product-resistant mutant, glucosamine production was increased 60-fold.