Adaptive laboratory evolution of Pseudomonas putida KT2440 improves p-coumaric and ferulic acid catabolism and tolerance

Pseudomonas putida was evolved in increasing hydroxycinnamic acid concentrations to improve tolerance and aromatic catabolic capacity towards p-coumaric acid (pCA) and ferulic acid (FA) individually and in combination (pCA+FA). The TALE experiments led to evolved P. putida strains with increased tolerance to the targeted acids as compared to wild-type. Whole genome sequencing of intermediate and endpoint evolved P. putida populations revealed several expected and non-intuitive genetic targets underlying these aromatic catabolic and toxicity tolerance enhancements.