A synthetic biology toolkit for interrogating plasmid-dependent methylotrophy and enhancing methanol-based biosynthesis of Bacillus methanolicus

Abstract

Bacillus methanolicus represents a thermophilic methylotroph whose methanol utilization depends on plasmid-encoded genes. It serves as a unique model for deciphering plasmid-dependent methylotrophy and an ideal chassis for low-carbon biomanufacturing using CO2-derived C1 substrates. Despite its evolutionary uniqueness and industrial potential, the lack of synthetic biology tools has hindered both mechanistic understanding and strain engineering. Here, we present a comprehensive synthetic biology platform comprising a high-efficiency electroporation protocol, a CRISPR method enabling robust and multiplex genome editing, diverse neutral loci for gene integration and overexpression, and a cloud-based genome-scale metabolic model iBM822 for user-friendly biodesign. Leveraging this toolkit, we systematically dissected plasmid-dependent methylotrophy, host restriction-modification systems, and functional significance of the chromosomal methylotrophic genes through targeted deletion. To address plasmid loss-induced strain degeneration, we integrated the large endogenous plasmid pBM19 into the chromosome for stable and intact methylotrophic growth. Finally, by integrating metabolic modeling with CRISPR editing, we engineered L-arginine feedback regulation to achieve the first L-arginine biosynthesis from methanol. This study establishes a synthetic biology framework for B. methanolicus, promoting mechanistic exploration of methylotrophy and low-carbon biomanufacturing.