Overexpression of the lon protease and its impact on heat and ethanol stress tolerance in Z. mobilis

Yupaporn Phannarangsee

Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Technology, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand

Haruthairat Kitwetcharoen

Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Technology, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand

Sudarat Thanonkeo

Walai Rukhavej Botanical Research Institute (WRBRI), Mahasarakham University, Maha Sarakham, Thailand

Preekamol Klanrit

Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Technology, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand

Mamoru Yamada

Research Center for Thermotolerant Microbial Resources, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, Japan

Pornthap Thanonkeo

Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Technology, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand

DOI: https://doi.org/10.14456/apst.2025.27

Keywords: Ethanologenic fermentative bacteria Genetic engineering Molecular cloning Stress-responsive proteins Zymomonas mobilis

Abstract

The Lon protease plays a crucial role in bacterial genome stability and cellular homeostasis under various stress conditions. In this study, the lon gene encoding the Lon protease in Zymomonas mobilis TISTR548 was cloned and characterized, and its overexpression in Z. mobilis cells was evaluated. The lon gene had an open reading frame of 2,427 bp, encoding 809 amino acid residues with a relative molecular weight of 89 kDa and a predicted isoelectric point (pI) of 6.42. The Lon protease of Z. mobilis shared several conserved structural and functional features with other Lon proteases. Overexpression of the lon gene improved bacterial cell growth under heat stress at 40.5°C and ethanol toxicity at 10% (v/v). Furthermore, it helped bacterial cells maintain a regular rod shape under stressful conditions, suggesting a role in the cell division mechanism. These findings are valuable for future efforts to improve Z. mobilis strains for enhanced tolerance to heat, ethanol, and other stressful conditions. The successful cloning, expression, and characterization of the Lon protease gene provide insights into the role of this important protein in the stress response and cell division of Z. mobilis

How to Cite

Phannarangsee, Y., Kitwetcharoen, H., Thanonkeo, S., Klanrit, P., Yamada, M., & Thanonkeo, P. (2025). Overexpression of the lon protease and its impact on heat and ethanol stress tolerance in Z. mobilis. Asia-Pacific Journal of Science and Technology, 30(02), APST–30. https://doi.org/10.14456/apst.2025.27

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