WO2008052595A1 - Process for the biological production of 1,3-propanediol from glycerol with high yield - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a method for the anaerobic production of 1, 3 propanediol, by culturing a Clostridium strain in an appropriate culture medium comprising glycerol as a source of carbon, wherein said Clostridium strain does not produce substantially other products of the glycerol metabolism selected among the group consisting of: butyrate, lactate, butanol and ethanol, and recovering of 1,3-propanediol.

Description

Process for the biological production of 1,3-propanediol from glycerol with high yield

FIELD OF INVENTION

The invention comprises a process for the bioconversion of glycerol to 1,3-propanediol at high yield by a metabolically engineered Clostridium.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1,3-propanediol is a monomer use in the production of polyester fibers and with potential use in the manufacture of polyurethanes and cyclic compounds.

1,3-propanediol can be produced by different chemical routes from i) acrolein water and hydrogen ii) ethylene oxide carbon monoxide and water in the presence of phosphine and from glycerol and hydrogen in the presence of carbon monoxide. All these methods have in common to be expensive and to generate waste streams containing polluting substances.

1,3-propanediol can be produced as an acetate/butyrate/lactate/l,3-propanediol mixture by the fermentation of glycerol by different Clostridia. The general metabolism of glycerol into Clostridia is presented in figure 1.

In one way, glycerol is converted to 1,3-propanediol in a two step enzymatic reaction sequence. In a first step a glycerol dehydratase catalyze the conversion of glycerol to 3-hydroxypropionaldehyde (3 -HPA) and water. In the second step 3 -HPA is reduced to 1,3-propanediol by a NADH dependent 1,3-propanediol dehydrogenase. Most of the 1,3- propanediol producing Clostridia use a B12 dependent glycerol dehydratase encoded by the dhaBlB2B3 structural genes while Clostridum butyricum uses a B 12 independent enzyme encoded by the dhaBl structural gene. For the B12 dependent glycerol dehydratases, orfX and orfZ encode the glycerol dehydratase reactivation factor while for the only known B 12 independent enzyme, dhaB2 encodes an S-Adenosyl-Methionine (SAM) dependent activation factor. Near the genes encoding the structural and activation factors a gene encoding a 1,3-propanediol dehydrogenase (dhaT) is also present. Production of 1,3- propanediol from glycerol consumes NADH.

In another way, when glycerol is not transformed into 1,3-propanediol, it is oxidized to dihydrohycetone-phosphate (DHAP) with the concomitant production of NADH by either a glycerol kinase and a glycero 1-3 -Phosphate dehydrogenase encoded respectively by glpk and glpA or by a glycerol dehydrogenase followed by a DHA kinase encoded respectively by dhaD and dhaKlK2. DHAP will then enter the glycolitic pathway with the production of pyruvate and acetyl-CoA as key intermediates. Pyruvate and acetyl- CoA can be reduced to respectively lactate and ethanol by a lactate dehydrogenase encoded by the ldh gene and a bi-functional aldehyde-alcohol dehydrogenases encoded by adhE. Acetyl-CoA can also be converted to butyryl-CoA, an intermediate product that can be: i) converted to butyric acid by a phospho-transbutyrylase and a butyrate kinase encoded respectively by the ptb and buk genes or ii) reduced to butanol by a bi-functional aldehyde-alcohol dehydrogenase encoded by adhE.

In solventogenic Clostridia, acetone is produced from aceto-acetyl-CoA (an intermediate in the production of butyryl-CoA) by a Co A- transferase and an acetoacetate decarboxylase encoded respectively by the ctfAB and adc genes. Hydrogen is produced by an iron only hydrogenase encoded by the hydA gene.

Both natural and recombinant Clostridia produce 1,3 -propanediol at a maximal yield of 0.55 g/g of glycerol due to the co-production of reduced compounds like butyric acid

(butyrate), lactic acid (lactate), ethanol or butanol. To increase the yield of 1,3-propanediol production it is necessary to avoid the production of all the reduced co-products and associate the production of 1,3-propanediol to an oxidized co-product.

Clostridium acetobutylicum strains unable to produce butyrate have already been described in the article (Green et al., 1996). The butyrate formation was dramatically reduced because of the inactivation of the buk gene obtained by single crossing-over with a non-replicable plasmid. This mutant strain was tested for the production of 1,3-propanediol as shown in (Gonzalez-Pajuelo, 2005, Metabolic Engineering). This recombinant strain effectively produces 1,3-propanediol as the main fermentation product, but produces also butanol, which decreases the 1,3-propanediol yield.

The 1,3-propanediol fermentation of glycerol by Clostridia can run in batch, fedbatch or continuous cultures.

The problem to be solved by the present invention is the biological production of 1,3 propanediol from glycerol at high yield, with no concomitant production of reduced compounds such as butyrate, lactate, or alcohols. This production is performed by anaerobic fermentation with Clostridia. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Applicants have solved the stated problem and the present invention provides a method for the anaerobic production of 1, 3 propanediol, by culturing a Clostridium strain in an appropriate culture medium comprising glycerol as a source of carbon, wherein said Clostridium strain does not produce substantially other products of the glycerol metabolism selected among the group consisting of: butyrate, lactate, butanol and ethanol, and recovering 1,3 -propanediol.

The 1,3-propanediol may be produced concomitantly with a single oxidized product of the glycero 1 metabo lism.

In a particular aspect of the invention, the Clostridium strain is modified to limit production of metabolites from glycerol, which biosynthesis pathway is NADH or NADPH consuming, except for 1,3-propanediol.

In one aspect of this invention, a Clostridium naturally producing 1,3-propanediol is genetically modified to produce 1,3-propanediol at higher yield by deleting: i) the gene coding for the butyrate kinase (buk) or the phospho- transbutyrylase (ptb) to avoid butyrate production ii) optionally, all the genes coding for the lactate dehydrogenases (Idh) to avoid lactate production iii) optionally, the genes coding for the bi-functional aldehyde-alcohol dehydrogenases (adhE) to avoid alcohols formation.

In another aspect of this invention, a Clostridium naturally producing butyrate but unable to produce 1,3-propanediol is genetically modified to produce 1,3-propanediol at high yield. This result is achieved by replacing the ptb or the buk genes coding for enzymes involved in the butyrate pathway with the operon of C. butyricum coding for enzymes involved in the B12 independent 1,3-propanediol pathway, and by deleting : i) optionally, all the genes coding for the lactate dehydrogenases {Idh) to avoid lactate production ii) optionally, the genes coding for the bi-functionnal aldehyde-alcohol dehydrogenases {adhE) to avoid alcohols formation.

In a further aspect of this invention, a Clostridum naturally producing ethanol but unable to produce 1,3-propanediol is genetically modified to produce 1,3-propanediol. This result is achieved by replacing one of the adhE genes coding for enzymes involved in the ethanol pathway, with the operon of C. butyricum coding for enzymes involved in the B12 independent 1,3-propanediol pathway, and by deleting: i) optionally, all the genes coding for the lactate dehydrogenase (IdK) to avoid lactate production ii) optionally, all the remaining genes coding for the bi-functionnal aldehyde- alcohol dehydrogenases (adhE) to avoid alcohol formation.

In another aspect of this invention, the flux of hydrogen production is decreased and then the flux of reducing equivalent is redirected toward 1,3-propanediol production by attenuating the gene encoding the hydrogenase (hydA).

In another aspect of the invention, the flux of 1,3-propanediol production is increased by introducing extra copies of the 1,3-propanediol operon from C. butyricum, (coding for enzymes involved in the B 12 independent 1,3-propanediol pathway).

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a recombinant Clostridium strain, useful for the process of production of 1,3-propanediol at high yield.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawing which is incorporated in and constitutes a part of this specification exemplifies the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of this invention.

Figure 1 depicts the central metabolism of different Clostridia.

1 : Pyruvate-ferredoxin oxydoreductase ; 2 : Thiolase ; 3 : β-Hydroxybutyryl-CoA dehydrogenase ; 4 : Crotonase ; 5 : Butyryl-CoA dehydrogenase ; 6 : Lactate dehydrogenase ; 7 : Phospho-transacetylase ; 8 : Acetate kinase ; 9 : Acetaldehyde Ethanol deshydrogenase ; 10 : hydrogenase.; 11 : CoA transferase (Acetoacetyl- CoA :acetate/butyrate : CoA transferase) ; 12 : Acetoacetate decarboxylase ; 13 : Phospho- transbutyrylase ; 14 : Butyrate kinase ; 15 : Butyraldehyde-Butanol dehydrogenase ; 16 : Glycerol dehydratase; 17: 1, 3 propanediol dehydrogenase.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As used herein the following terms may be used for interpretation of the claims and specification. The terms '''Clostridium^''^'' and '''Clostridia^''^'' refer to all kind of bacteria belonging to this family.

An appropriate culture medium refers to a culture medium optimized for the growth and the diol production of the specifically used Clostridium strain. The term "carbon substrate" or "source of carbon" means any carbon source capable of being metabolized by a microorganism wherein the substrate contains at least one carbon atom. In the present invention glycerol is the single source of carbon. The phrase "microorganism is modified" means that the strain has been transformed in the aim to change its genetic characteristics. Endogenous genes can either be attenuated, deleted, or over-expressed. Exogenous genes can be introduced, carried by a plasmid, or integrated into the genome of the strain, to be expressed into the cell.

The term "attenuation" refers to a decreased expression of a gene or a decreased activity of the protein, product of the gene. The man skilled in the art knows numerous means to obtain this result, and for example: - Introduction of a mutation into the gene, decreasing the expression level of this gene, or the level of activity of the encoded protein.

Replacement of the natural promoter of the gene by a low strength promoter, resulting in a lower expression.

Use of elements destabilizing the corresponding messenger RNA or the protein. - Deletion of the gene if no expression is needed.

The term "deleted gene" means that a substantial part of the coding sequences of said gene was removed. Preferably, at least 50% of the coding sequence was removed, and more preferably at least 80%.

The term "plasmid" or "vector" as used herein refers to an extra chromosomal element often carrying genes which are not part of the central metabolism of the cell, and usually in the form of circular double-stranded DNA molecules.

In the description of the present invention, enzymes are identified by their specific activities. This definition thus includes all polypeptides that have the defined specific activity also present in other organisms, more particularly in other microorganisms. Often enzymes with similar activities can be identified by their grouping to certain families defined as PFAM or COG.

PFAM (protein families database of alignments and hidden Markov models;

represents a large collection of protein sequence alignments. Each PFAM makes it possible to visualize multiple alignments, see protein domains, evaluate distribution among organisms, gain access to other databases, and visualize known protein structures. COGs (clusters of orthologous groups of proteins; http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih. gov/COG/) are obtained by comparing protein sequences from 43 fully sequenced genomes representing 30 major phylogenic lines. Each COG is defined from at least three lines, which permits the identification of former conserved domains. The means of identifying homologous sequences and their percentage homologies are well known to those skilled in the art, and include in particular the BLAST programs, which can be used from the

with the default parameters indicated on that website. The sequences obtained can then be exploited (e.g., aligned) using, for example, the programs CLUSTALW (http://www.cbi.ac.uk/clustalw/) or MULTALIN (http^/prodcs.toulouse.inra.fr/multali^cgi-bin/multalin.pl), with the default parameters indicated on those websites.

Using the references given on GenBank for known genes, those skilled in the art are able to determine the equivalent genes in other organisms, bacterial strains, yeasts, fungi, mammals, plants, etc. This routine work is advantageously done using consensus sequences that can be determined by carrying out sequence alignments with genes derived from other microorganisms, and designing degenerate probes to clone the corresponding gene in another organism. These routine methods of molecular biology are well known to those skilled in the art, and are described, for example, in Sambrook et al. (1989 Molecular Cloning: a Laboratory Manual. 2^nd ed. Cold Spring Harbor Lab., Cold Spring Harbor, New York.).

The present invention provides a method for the anaerobic production of 1,3- propanediol, by culturing a Clostridium strain in an appropriate culture medium comprising glycerol as a source of carbon, wherein said Clostridium strain does not produce substantially other products of the glycerol metabolism selected among the group consisting of: butyrate, lactate, butanol and ethanol, and recovering 1,3 -propanediol.

"Substantially" means that at most traces of products or reductions of glycerol are found in the culture medium. Traces means preferably amounts that shall not interfere with the recovery process of 1,3 -propanediol, more preferably less than 10 mM. The phrase "glycerol metabolism" refers to all biochemical modifications of glycerol happening in the bacteria. This includes the biosynthesis of organic molecules (anabolism) and their breakdown (catabolism). Some metabolic reactions are consuming and some others are producing NADH/NADPH. Glycerol metabolism in Clostridium strains is illustrated in figure 1. Intermediates as well as final products from metabolic reactions are called metabolites.

The method of the invention is characterized by the fact that the glycerol metabolism is directed to 13, -propanediol production, and that no other reduced products from this metabolism pathway, such as butyrate, lactate, butanol, ethanol, are produced concomitantly with 1,3 -propanediol by the Clostridium. Indeed, production of these reduced products is consuming NADH/NADPH stock of the cell. Limiting this consumption will allow the reducing power to be redirected toward 1,3 -propanediol production.

In a specific embodiment of the invention, the 1,3 -propanediol is produced concomitantly with a single oxidized product of glycerol metabolism, such as acetate, acetone or carbon dioxide. The term "oxidized product" refers to products produced without consumption of the NADH/NADPH stock of the cell Advantageously, the Clostridium strain used in the process produces only 1,3- propanediol and acetate.

According to the invention, the Clostridium strain can be modified to limit production of metabolites from glycerol, which biosynthesis pathway is NADH or NADPH consuming, except for 1,3-propanediol. Advantageously, this modification consists of the deletion of at least one gene coding for an enzyme involved in production of said metabolites.

In particular, this enzyme is involved in the production of a metabolite selected among the group consisting of : butyrate, lactate, butanol and ethanol.

In a specific embodiment of the invention , the Clostridium is naturally producing

1,3-propanediol, since it comprises functional endogenous genes encoding for enzymes involved in biosynthesis of 1,3-propanediol. These genes are in particular: glycerol dehydratase and 1,3-propanediol dehydrogenase.

This strain can be genetically modified to produce 1,3-propanediol as major product by deleting at least one gene encoding for phospho-transbutyrylase iptb) or butyrate kinase (buk) to block the conversion of butyryl-CoA to butyrate.

In another specific embodiment, said Clostridium said was also deleted of all the genes encoding for lactate dehydrogenase (IdK) to block the production of lactate.

In another specific embodiment, said Clostridium said was also deleted of all the genes encoding for bifunctionnal aldehyde-alcohol dehydrogenases (adhE) to block the production of alcohols.

Deletion of genes in Clostridia can be done using the method recently described in patent application PCT/EP2006/066997 allowing the i) replacement of the gene to delete with an erythromycin resistance gene and ii) removal of the erythromycin resistance gene by expressing the FLP recombinase. Advantageously, the Clostridium strain is selected among the group consisting of C. butyricum and C. pasteurianum.

In a specific embodiment of the invention, the Clostridium strain has to be modified to be able to produce 1,3 -propanediol. The modification consists of the introduction of at least one heterologous gene coding for an enzyme involved in the B-12 independent 1,3- propanediol pathway. These genes may be but are not limited to dhaBl, dhaB2, dhaT.

Advantageously, the strain is modified by introducing the operon of Clostridium butyricum coding for the enzymes involved in the B12-independent 1,3 -propanediol pathway. Insertion of the operon in the chromosome can be done using the method recently described in patent application PCT/EP2006/066997.

In a specific embodiment of the invention, the used Clostridum strain naturally produces butyrate but is unable to produce 1,3 -propanediol prior modification; this specific Clostridium is genetically modified to produce 1,3 -propanediol by replacing at least one gene encoding for an enzyme involved in butyrate formation, in particular the phospho- transbutyrylase iptb) or the butyrate kinase (buk), with one heterologous gene coding for an enzyme involved in the B-12 independent 1,3-propanediol pathway in the aim to : block the conversion of butyryl-CoA to butyrate and - allow 1,3-propanediol production from glycerol in this strain.

Insertion of the operon in the chromosome and deletion of the genes can be done using the method recently described in patent application PCT/EP2006/066997.

Preferentially, in this Clostridium strain, all the genes encoding for lactate dehydrogenase (Idh) are deleted to block the production of lactate. Preferentially, in this Clostridium strain, all the genes encoding for bi-functional aldehyde-alcohol dehydrogenases (adhE) are deleted, to inhibit the production of alcohols. Avantageously, this Clostridium strain is selected among the group consisting of C. acetobutylicum, C. beijerinckii, C. saccharoperbutylacetonicum C. saccharobutylicum, C. butyricum or C cellulolyticum.

In a specific embodiment of the invention, the Clostridum naturally produces ethanol but is unable to produce 1,3-propanediol prior modification; this strain is genetically modified to produce 1,3-propanediol by replacing at least one gene encoding for bi-functional aldehyde-alcohol dehydrogenases {adhE) with at least one of the heterologous gene coding for an enzyme involved in the B12 independent 1,3-propanediol pathway. Preferentially this heterologous gene is the operon of C. butyricum encoding for enzymes involved in the B 12 independent 1,3-propanediol pathway. This replacement leads to : a decrease of the conversion of acetyl-CoA to ethanol, and

1 ,3-propanediol production from glycerol.

Preferably, in this Clostridium strain, all the genes encoding for lactate dehydrogenase (IdK) are deleted to inhibit the production of lactate.

Preferably, in this Clostridium strain, all the remaining genes encoding for bi- functional aldehyde-alcohol dehydrogenases (adhE) are deleted to block the production of alcohols.

Insertion of the operon in the Clostridium chromosome and deletion of the previously cited genes can be done using the method recently described in patent application PCT/EP2006/066997.

Advantageously, this Clostridium strain is selected among the group consisting of

Clostridium thermocellum, Clostridium saccharolyticum (now Thermoanaerobacter saccharolyticum), Clostridium thermosulfurogenes (now Thermoanaerobacter thermosulfurigenes) or Clostridium thermohydrosulfuricum (now Thermoanaerobacter ethanolicus).

In a specific embodiment of the invention, the Clostridium strain has a decreased flux of hydrogen production and consequently presents a redirection of the flux of reducing equivalent toward 1,3 -propanediol production. This result may be achieved by various means, and in particular by attenuating the gene encoding the hydrogenase (hydA), an enzyme that provides a sink for reducing equivalent in the form of hydrogen production. Attenuation of hydA can be done by replacing the natural promoter by a low strength promoter or by using an element destabilizing the corresponding messenger RNA or the protein. If needed, complete attenuation of the gene can also be achieved by partial or complete deletion of the corresponding DNA sequence.

In another embodiment of the invention, the used Clostridium strain presents an increased flux of 1,3-propanediol production; this result is achieved by introducing extra copies of the 1,3-propanediol operon from C. butyricum, (coding for enzymes involved in the B12 independent 1,3-propanediol pathway) either over-expressed by a plasmid or integrated into the chromosome of the recombinant Clostridium. For example the pSPD5 plasmid can be used for an over-expression of the 1,3-propanediol operon.

In another aspect of the invention, the Clostridium strain is modified to be able to convert acetate to acetone. This modification can be obtained by introducing into the microorganism an artificial "acetone operon" containing the thl, ctfAB and adc genes coding respectively for the thiolase, the CoA-transferase and the aceto-acetate decarboxylase, these three enzymes being involved in acetone formation in C. acetobutylicum and C. beijerinckii. This artificial operon can be either carried by a plasmid or can be integrated into the chromosome of the transformed Clostridium. In another embodiment, the invention provides a method for the fermentative preparation of 1,3 -propanediol at high yield, comprising:

(a) contacting a Clostridium strain with glycerol for a fermentation process whereby 1,3-propanediol is produced,

(b) isolating 1,3-propanediol and optionally a single oxidized product of the glycerol metabolism (mainly acetate or acetone) by distillation.

The fermentation is generally conducted in fermentors with an inorganic culture medium of known defined composition adapted to the bacteria used, containing at least glycerol, and if necessary a co-substrate necessary for the production of the metabolite.

This process can be realized in a batch process as well as in a continuous process.

The man skilled in the art knows how to manage each of these experimental conditions, and to define the culture conditions for the microorganisms according to the invention. In particular the Clostridia are fermented at a temperature between 20⁰C and 60⁰C, preferentially between 25°C and 40⁰C for mesophilic Clostridia and between 45 and 60⁰C for thermophilic Clostridia.

The invention is also related to the microorganism as described previously. Preferably, this microorganism is selected among the group consisting of C. butyricum, C. pasteurianum, C. acetobutylicum, C. beijerinckii, C. saccharoperbutylacetonicum C. saccharobutylicum, C butyricum, C cellulolyticum, Clostridium thermocellum, Clostridium saccharolyticum (now Thermoanaerobacter saccharolyticum), Clostridium thermosulfurogenes (now Thermoanaerobacter thermosulfurigenes) or Clostridium thermohydrosulfuricum (now Thermoanaerobacter ethanolicus).

EXAMPLE 1

Construction of a recombinant Clostridium acetobutylicum producing 1,3-propanediol and unable to produce butyrate and butanol: C. acetobutylicum ApSOLl Acacl515 Aupp

Abuk::PDO To obtain a strain that can be genetically manipulated and is unable to produce butanol and acetone, we first cure the pSOLl megaplasmid from the C. acetobutylicum Δcacl515 Δupp strain (described in patent application PCT/EP2006/066997) by i) running 20 sub-cultures in glucose MS medium and ii) by selection on agar plates (containing starch (2%) and glucose (0.2%) as described by Sabathe et al (2003)) of clones producing small hallo of starch hydrolysis to identify a C. acetobutylicum ΔpSOLl Δcacl515 Δupp strain. To delete the buk gene and introduce the 1,3 -propanediol operon from C. butyricum, the homologous recombination strategy described by Croux & Soucaille (2006) in patent application PCT/EP2006/066997 is used. A buk deletion cassette integrating the 1,3- propanediol operon from C. butyricum in the pCons::upp vector was constructed as follows. Two DNA fragments surrounding buk were PCR amplified with the Pwo polymerase with total DNA from C. acetobutylicum as template and two specific couples of oligonucleotides. With the couples of primers BUK 1-BUK 21 and BUK 31-BUK 4, two DNA fragments were respectively obtained. Both primers BUK 1 and BUK 4 introduce a BamHI site while primers BUK 21 and BUK 31 have a complementary region which introduces pvull and Nrul sites. DNA fragments BUK 1-BUK 21 and BUK 31-BUK 4 were joined in a PCR fusion experiment with primers BUK 1 and BUK 4 and the resulting fragment was cloned in pCR4-TOPO-Blunt to yield pTOPO :buk. At the unique nrul site of pTOPO :buk, an antibiotic resistance MLS gene with FRT sequences on both sides was introduced from the 1372 bp Stul fragment of pUC18-FRT-MLS2. The BUK deletion cassette obtained after BamHI digestion of the resulting plasmid was cloned into pCons::upp at the BamHI site to yield the pREPΔBUK::upp plasmid. At the unique pvull site of pREPΔBUK::upp, the 1,3-propanediol operon was introduced as a 4854bp blunt end Klenow treated Sail fragment of pSPD5 plasmid.

The pREPΔBUK::PDO::upp plasmid was used to transform by electroporation C. acetobutylicum ApSOLlAcacl5Aupp strain. After selection on Petri plate for clones resistant to erythromycin (40 μg/ml), one colony was cultured for 24 hours in Glycerol liquid synthetic medium with erythromycin at 40 μg/ml and 100 μl of undiluted culture was plated on RCGA (Reinforced Clostridium medium where starch and glucose are replaced by glycerol as a carbon source) with erythromycin at 40 μg/ml and 5 -FU at 400 μM. Colonies resistant to both erythromycin and 5-FU were replica plated on both RCA with erythromycin at 40 μg/ml and RCA with thiamphenicol at 50 μg/ml to select clones where 5-FU resistance is also associated with thiamphenicol sensitivity. The genotype of clones resistant to erythromycin and sensitive to thiamphenicol was checked by PCR analysis (with primers BUK 0 and BUK 5 located outside of the buk deletion cassette). The ApSOLl Acacl 5 AuppAbuk: :PDO: :mls^R strain which have lost pREPΔbuk::upp was isolated.

The ApSOLl Acacl 5 AuppAbuk:: PDO ::mls^R strain was transformed with pCLFl.l vector expressing the FIp 1 gene encoding the FIp recombinase from S. cerevisiae. After transformation and selection for resistance to thiamphenicol (50 μg/ml) on Petri plate, one colony was cultured on synthetic liquid medium with thiamphenicol at 50 μg/ml and appropriate dilutions were plated on RCA with thiamphenicol at 50 μg/ml. Thiamphenicol resistant clones were replica plated on both RCA with erythromycin at 40 μg/ml and RCA with thiamphenicol at 50 μg/ml. The genotype of clones with erythromycin sensitivity and thiamphenicol resistance was checked by PCR analysis with primers BUK 0 and BUK 5. Two successive 24 hours cultures of the Acacl 5 AuppAbuk strain with erythromycin sensitivity and thiamphenicol resistance were carried out in order to lose pCLFl.l . The ApSOLl Acacl 5 AuppAbuk: : PDO strain which has lost pCLFl.l was isolated according to its sensitivity to both erythromycin and thiamphenicol. Table 1

Name Primer sequences

Buk l aaaaggatcctagtaaaagggagtgtacgaccagtg Buk 21 ggggcagctggtcgcgaaaaaaggggggattattagtaatctatacatgttaacattcctccac Buk 31 ccccct tttttcgcgQCcagctgccccacttcttgcacttgcagaaggtggac Buk 4 aaaaggatcctctaaattctgcaatatatgccccccc

BukO ataacaggatatatgctctctgacgcgg Buk5 gatcatcactcattttaaacatggggcc

EXAMPLE 2

Construction of strains unable to produce butyrate, acetone and lactate: C. acetobutylicum ApSOLl Acacl515 Aupp Abuk::PDO Aldh

To delete the ldh gene, the homologous recombination strategy described by Croux

& Soucaille (2006) in patent application PCT/EP2006/066997 is used. This strategy allows the insertion of an erythromycin resistance cassette, while deleting most of the genes concerned. The ldh deletion cassette in pCons::upp was constructed as follows. Two DNA fragments surrounding ldh (CAC267) were PCR amplified with the Pwo polymerase with total DNA from C. acetobutylicum as template and two specific couples of oligonucleotides. With the couples of primers LDH 1-LDH 2 and LDH 3-LDH 4, 1135 bp and 1177 bp DNA fragments were respectively obtained. Both primers LDH 1 and LDH 4 introduce a BamHI site while primers LDH 2 and LDH 3 have a complementary region which introduces a Stul site. DNA fragments LDH 1-LDH 2 and LDH 3-LDH 4 were joined in a PCR fusion experiment with primers LDH 1 and LDH 4 and the resulting fragment was cloned in pCR4-TOPO-Blunt to yield pTOPO :LDH. At the unique Stul site of pTOPO :LDH, an antibiotic resistance MLS gene with FRT sequences on both sides was introduced from the 1372 bp Stul fragment of pUC18-FRT-MLS2. The UPP deletion cassette obtained after BamHI digestion of the resulting plasmid was cloned into pCons::upp at the BamHI site to yield the pREPΔLDH::upp plasmid. The pREPΔLDH::upp plasmid was used to transform by electroporation C. acetobutylicum ApSOLl Acacl 5 AuppAbuk:: PDO strain. After selection on Petri plate (on RCGA) for clones resistant to erythromycin (40 μg/ml), one colony was cultured for 24 hours in liquid glycerol synthetic medium with erythromycin at 40 μg/ml and 100 μl of undiluted culture was plated on RCGA with erythromycin at 40 μg/ml and 5-FU at 400 μM. Colonies resistant to both erythromycin and 5-FU were replica plated on both RGCA with erythromycin at 40 μg/ml and RGCA with thiamphenicol at 50 μg/ml to select clones where 5-FU resistance is also associated with thiamphenicol sensitivity. The genotype of clones resistant to erythromycin and sensitive to thiamphenicol was checked by PCR analysis (with primers LDH 0 and LDH 5 located outside of the ldh deletion cassette). The AApSOLl Acacl 5 AuppAbuk: :PDOAldh: :mls^R strain which have lost pREPΔLDH::upp was isolated.

The ApSOLl Acacl 5 AuppAbuk: :PDOAldh::mls^R strain was transformed with pCLFl.l vector expressing the FIp 1 gene encoding the FIp recombinase from S. cerevisiae. After transformation and selection for resistance to thiamphenicol (50 μg/ml) on Petri plate, one colony was cultured on synthetic liquid medium with thiamphenicol at 50 μg/ml and appropriate dilutions were plated on RCA with thiamphenicol at 50 μg/ml. Thiamphenicol resistant clones were replica plated on both RCA with erythromycin at 40 μg/ml and RCA with thiamphenicol at 50 μg/ml. The genotype of clones with erythromycin sensitivity and thiamphenicol resistance was checked by PCR analysis with primers LDH 0 and LDH 5. Two successive 24 hours cultures of the ApSOLl Acacl 5 AuppAbuk: :PDOAldh strain with erythromycin sensitivity and thiamphenicol resistance were carried out in order to lose pCLFl.l. The ApSOLl Acacl 5 AuppAbuk:: PDO Aldh strain which has lost pCLFl.l was isolated according to its sensitivity to both erythromycin and thiamphenicol. Table 2

Name Primer sequences

Ldh l AAAAGG^ΓCCGCTTTAAAATTTGGAAAGAGGAAGTTGTG Ldh 2 GGGGAGGCCTAAAAAGGGGGTTAGAAATCTTTAAAAATTTCTCTATAGAGCCCATC Ldh 3 CCCCCTTTTTAGGCCTCCCCGGTAAAAGACCTAAACTCCAAGGGTGGAGGCTAGGTC Ldh 4 AAAAGGATCCCCCATTGTGGAGAATATTCCAAAGAAGAAAATAATTGC

Ldh O CAGAAGGCAAGAATGTATTAAGCGGAAATGC Ldh 5 CTTCCCATTATAGCTCTTATTCACATTAAGC

EXAMPLE 3

Construction of strains with lower hydrogen production: C. acetobutylicum ApSOLl Acacl515 Δupp Abuk::PDO Aldh AhydA

To delete the hydA gene, the homologous recombination strategy described by Croux & Soucaille (2006) in patent application PCT/EP2006/066997 is used. This strategy allows the insertion of an erythromycin resistance cassette, while deleting most of the genes concerned. The hydA deletion cassette in pCons::upp was constructed as follows. Two DNA fragments surrounding hydA (CAC028) were PCR amplified with the Pwo polymerase with total DNA from C. acetobutylicum as template and two specific couples of oligonucleotides. With the couples of primers HYD 1-HYD 2 and HYD 3-HYD 4, 1269 bp and 1317 bp DNA fragments were respectively obtained. Both primers HYD 1 and HYD 4 introduce a BamHI site while primers HYD 2 and HYD 3 have a complementary region which introduces a Stul site. DNA fragments HYD 1-HYD 2 and HYD 3-HYD 4 were joined in a PCR fusion experiment with primers HYD 1 and HYD 4 and the resulting fragment was cloned in pCR4-TOPO-Blunt to yield pTOPO :HYD. At the unique Stul site of pTOPO :HYD, an antibiotic resistance MLS gene with FRT sequences on both sides was introduced from the 1372 bp Stul fragment of pUC18-FRT-MLS2. The UPP deletion cassette obtained after BamHI digestion of the resulting plasmid was cloned into pCons::upp at the BamHI site to yield the pREPΔHYD::upp plasmid. The pREPΔHYD::upp plasmid was used to transform by electroporation C. acetobutylicum ApSOL lAcacl 5 AuppAbuk:: PDO Aldh strain. After selection on Petri plate (RCGA) for clones resistant to erythromycin (40 μg/ml), one colony was cultured for 24 hours in glycerol liquid synthetic medium with erythromycin at 40 μg/ml and 100 μl of undiluted culture was plated on RCA with erythromycin at 40 μg/ml and 5-FU at 400 μM. Colonies resistant to both erythromycin and 5-FU were replica plated on both RCGA with erythromycin at 40 μg/ml and RCA with thiamphenicol at 50 μg/ml to select clones where 5-FU resistance is also associated with thiamphenicol sensitivity. The genotype of clones resistant to erythromycin and sensitive to thiamphenicol was checked by PCR analysis (with primers HYD 0 and HYD 5 located outside of the hydA deletion cassette). The ApSOLl Acacl 5 AuppAbuk: :PDO AldhAhydA: :mls^R strain which have lost pREPΔHYD::upp was isolated. The ApSOLl Acacl 5 AuppAbuk::PDOAldhAhydA::mls^R strain was transformed with pCLFl.l vector expressing the FIp 1 gene encoding the FIp recombinase from S. cerevisiae. After transformation and selection for resistance to thiamphenicol (50 μg/ml) on Petri plate, one colony was cultured on synthetic liquid medium with thiamphenicol at 50 μg/ml and appropriate dilutions were plated on RCA with thiamphenicol at 50 μg/ml. Thiamphenicol resistant clones were replica plated on both RCA with erythromycin at 40 μg/ml and RCA with thiamphenicol at 50 μg/ml. The genotype of clones with erythromycin sensitivity and thiamphenicol resistance was checked by PCR analysis with primers HYD 0 and HYD 5. Two successive 24 hours cultures of the ApSOLl Acacl 5 AuppAbuk:: PDO AldhAhydA strain with erythromycin sensitivity and thiamphenicol resistance were carried out in order to lose pCLFl.l. The ApSOLl Acacl 5 AuppAbuk:: PDO AldhAhydA strain which has lost pCLFl.l was isolated according to its sensitivity to both erythromycin and thiamphenicol. Table 3

Name Primer sequences

Hyd l AAAAGGIRRCCGCCTCTTCTGTATTATGCAAGGAAAGCAGCTGC Hyd 2 GGGG^GGCCRAAAAAGGGGGTATATAAAATAAATGTGCCTT AACATCTAA GTTGAGGCC

Hyd 3 CCCCCTTTTT^GGCCRCCCCGTTTATCCTCCCAAAATGTAAAATATAATTAA AATATATT AATAAACTTCGATT AATAAACTVC& Hyd 4 AAAAGGΛΓCCCCTTTTAGCGTATAAAGTTTTATATAGCTATTG

Hyd O CAJGΎΎCΎ ATYGTY ACT AJGG AAG AGGJAGJ AG Hyd 5 GCAGTY ATY AΥAAAΥGCYGCY ACY AG AGC EXAMPLE 4

Construction of strains with increase flux in the 1,3-propanediol pathway: C. acetobutylicum ApSOLl Acacl515 Aupp Abuk::PDO AUh pSPD5.

To construct a strain that converts glycerol to 1,3-propanediol and acetate at higher flux we introduce the pSPD5 plasmid (described in patent application WOO 1/04324) that expressed as an operon the B 12 independent 1,3-propanediol pathway from C. butyricum. The pSPD5 plasmid was used to transform by electroporation of C. acetobutylicum

ApSOLl Acacl 5 Aupp Abut :PDOAldh strain. After selection on Petri plate (RCGA) for clones resistant to erythromycin (40 μg/ml), one colony was cultured for 24 hours in glycerol liquid synthetic medium with erythromycin at 40 μg/ml and use to extract the pSPD5 plasmid that was characterized by its restriction profile.

EXAMPLE 5

Construction of strains producing 1,3-propanediol and acetone: C. acetobutylicum ApSOLl Acacl 515 Aupp Abuk::PDO Aldh pSOS95 thl.

To construct a strain that converts acetate to acetone the pSOS 95 thl plasmid expressing a synthetic acetone operon was constructed. For this purpose the thl gene encoding thiolase (from C. acetobutylicum) was introduced at the BamHI site of the pSOS95 vector (genbank accession n° AYl 87686) already expressing as a synthetic operon the ctfAB and adc genes. The thl gene was PCR amplified with the Pwo polymerase with total DNA from C. acetobutylicum as template and two specific couples of oligonucleotides. With the couple of primers THL 1-THL2 a 1.2 kbp DNA fragment was obtained and digested with BamHI and BgIII, two restriction sites that were respectively introduced by primers THL 1 and THL2. After ligation to the Bamhl digested pSOS95, the pSOS95-thl plasmid was obtained.

This pSOS95-thl plasmid was used to transform by electroporation C. acetobutylicum ApSOLl Acacl 5 Aupp Abut :PDO Aldh strain. After selection on Petri plate (RCGA) for clones resistant to erythromycin (40 μg/ml), one colony was cultured for 24 hours in glycerol liquid synthetic medium with erythromycin at 40 μg/ml and use to extract the pSOS95-thl plasmid that was characterized by its restriction profile. Table 4

Name Primer sequences

THL l cgcggatcctttatctgttaccccgtatcaaaatttagg

THL 2 gaAGATCTTCTAGCACTTTTCTAGCAATATTGC

EXAMPLE 6 Batch fermentation of 1,3-propanediol producing strains. Strains were initially analyzed in anaerobic flask cultures in the synthetic medium described by Soni et al (Soni et al, 1986, Appl. Microbiol.Biotechnol. 32:120-128) supplemented with 2.5 g/1 of ammonium acetate and with replacement of glucose by glycerol. An overnight culture at 35°C was used to inoculate a 30 ml culture to an OD600 of 0.05. After incubation of the culture for 3 days at 35°C, glycerol, organic acids and 1,3- propanediol were analyzed by HPLC using a Biorad HPX 97H column for the separation and a refractometer for the detection.

Strains with the correct phenotype were subsequently tested under production conditions in 300 ml fermentors (DASGIP) using an anaerobic batch protocol.

For this purpose the fermentor was filled with 250 ml of synthetic medium, sparged with nitrogen for 30 min and inoculated with 25 ml of preculture to an optical density (OD600nm) between 0.05 and 0.1.

The temperature of the culture was maintained constant at 35 ⁰C and the pH was permanently adjusted at 6.5 using an NH₄OH solution. The agitation rate was maintained at 300 rpm during the fermentation.

EXAMPLE 7 Continuous fermentation of 1,3-propanediol and acetate producing strains.

The best 1,3-propanediol and acetate producing strain was analyzed in chemostat cultures in the synthetic medium described by Soni et al (Soni et al, 1987, Appl Microbiol.Biotechnol.) except that glucose was replaced by glycerol. An overnight culture at 35°C was used to inoculate a 300 ml fermentors (DASGIP) using an anaerobic chemostat protocol.

For this purpose the fermentor was filled with 250 ml of synthetic medium, sparged with nitrogen for 30 min and inoculated with 25 ml of preculture to an optical density (OD600nm) between 0.05 and 0.1. After 12 hours of batch culture at 35 ⁰C, pH 6.5 (regulated using an NH₄OH solution) and an agitation rate of 300 rpm, the fermentor was continuously fed with oxygen free synthetic medium at a dilution rate of 0.05 h-1 while the volume was kept constant by sequential removal of fermentated medium. Stability of the culture was followed by products analysis using the HPLC protocol previously described. REFERENCES

Gonzalez-Pajuelo M, Meynial-Salles I, Mendes F, Andrade JC, Vasconcelos I, Soucaille P. Metabolic engineering of Clostridium acetobutylicum for the industrial production of 1,3- propanediol from glycerol. Metab Eng. 2005,;7:329-36..

Green EM. Boynton ZL. Harris LM. Rudolph FB. Papoutsakis ET. Bennett GN.

Genetic manipulation of acid formation pathways by gene inactivation in Clostridium acetobutylicum ATCC 824. Microbiology. 1996,142 :2079-86.

Soni B. K.. Soucaille P. Goma G.

Continuous acetone butanol fermentation : influence of vitamins on the metabolic activity of Clostridium acetobutylicum.

Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 1987. 27 : 1-5.

Claims

1) A method for the anaerobic production of 1,3 -propanediol, by culturing a Clostridium strain in an appropriate culture medium comprising glycerol as a source of carbon, wherein said Clostridium strain does not produce substantially other products of the glycerol metabolism selected among the group consisting of: butyrate, lactate, butanol and ethanol, and recovering 1,3 -propanediol.

2) The method of claim 1, wherein 1,3 -propanediol is produced with a single oxidized product of the glycerol metabolism.

3) The method of claim 2, wherein the single oxidized product of the glycerol metabolism is selected among the group consisting of acetate, acetone or carbon dioxide.

4) The method of claim 3 wherein the Clostridium strain produces only 1,3-propanediol and acetate from glycerol.

5) A method as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 4 wherein the Clostridium strain is modified to limit production of metabolites from glycerol, which biosynthesis pathway is NADH or NADPH consuming, except for 1,3-propanediol.

6) The method according to claim 5, wherein at least one gene coding for an enzyme involved in production of said metabolites is deleted.

7) The method according to claim 6 wherein said gene codes for an enzyme involved in production of a metabolite selected among the group consisting of : butyrate, lactate, butanol and ethanol.

8) The method according to claims 1 to 7, wherein the Clostridium strain comprises functional endogenous genes for production of 1,3-propanediol.

9) The method according to claim 8 wherein the Clostridum presents at least one gene, selected among the following involved in butyrate formation, that is deleted :

• ptb encoding phospho-transbutyrylase

• buk encoding butyrate kinase. 1O)A method according to claim 8 wherein all the ldh genes coding for lactate dehydrogenases are deleted.

H)A method according to claims 9 or 10 wherein all the adhE genes coding for aldehyde-alcohol dehydrogenases are deleted. 12) The method according to anyone of claims 8 to 11 wherein the Clostridium strain is selected among the group consisting of C. butyricum and C. pasteurianum.

13) The method according to anyone of claims 1 to 7 wherein the Clostridium strain is modified to produce 1,3 -propanediol by introducing at least one heterologous gene coding for an enzyme involved in the B- 12 independent 1,3 -propanediol pathway.

14) The method of claim 13, wherein the strain was modified by introducing the operon of Clostridium butyricum coding for the enzymes involved in the B12-independent 1,3-propanediol pathway.

15) The method of anyone of claims 13 or 14, wherein the Clostrium strain, prior modification, can produce butyrate and the at least one heterologous gene is introduced to replace at least one gene coding for an enzyme involved in butyrate formation.

16) The method of claim 15, wherein the gene coding for an enzyme involved in butyrate formation is selected among : • ptb encoding phospho-transbutyrylase

• buk encoding butyrate kinase.

17) A method according to claim 16 wherein all the ldh genes coding for lactate dehydrogenases are deleted.

18) A method according to claim 16 or 17 wherein all the adhE genes coding for aldehyde-alcohol dehydrogenases are deleted.

19) The method according to anyone of claims 15 to 18 wherein the Clostridium strain is selected among the group consisting of C. acetobutylicum, C. beijerinckii, C. saccharoperbutylacetonicum C. saccharobutylicum, C. butyricum or C. cellulolyticum. 2O)A method according to claims 13 or 14 wherein the Clostrium strain, prior modification, can produce ethanol and the at least one heterologous gene is introduced to replace at least one gene coding for an enzyme involved in ethanol formation.

21) The method of claim 20, wherein the gene coding for an enzyme involved in ethanol formation is selected among the adhE genes coding for aldehyde-alcohol dehydrogenases.

22) A method according to claim 21 wherein all the ldh genes coding for lactate dehydrogenases are deleted. 23) A method according to claim 21 or 22 wherein all the remaining adhE genes coding for aldehyde-alcohol dehydrogenases are deleted.

24) A method according to anyone of claims 20 to 23 wherein the Clostridium strain is selected among the group consisting of Clostridium thermocellum, Clostridium saccharolyticum (now Thermoanaerobacter saccharolyticum), Clostridium thermosulfurogenes (now Thermoanaerobacter thermosulfurigenes) or Clostridium thermohydrosulfuricum (now Thermoanaerobacter ethanolicus).

25) A method according to any one of claims 1 to 24, wherein the hydrogen flux is decreased and the reducing power redirected to 1, 3 propanediol production. 26) A method as claimed in claim 25 in which the hydA gene is attenuated.

27) A method according to any one of claims 1 to 26 wherein the microorganism is modified to convert acetate to acetone.

28) A method as claimed in claim 27 in which the genes coding for the enzymes involved in acetone formation are exogenous and are introduced into the Clostridium strain.

29) A method for the fermentative preparation of 1, 3 propanediol according to anyone of claims 1 to 25 comprising the following steps:

• Fermentation of the microorganism producing 1, 3 propanediol

• Isolation of 1, 3 propanediol and optionally a single oxidized product of the glycerol metabolism by distillation.

30) A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 29 wherein the culture is continuous.

3I)A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 29 wherein the culture is made in batchs.

32) A microorganism as defined in any one of claims 1 to 28.