Comparative RNA-Seq of Cupriavidus necator H16, formerly Ralstonia eutropha H16, grown in minimal media with 3-hydroxypropionic acid (3-HP) or fructose as sole carbon source.

3-hydroxypropionic acid (3-HP) is a promising platform chemical with various industrial applications. Several metabolic routes to produce 3-HP from organic substrates such as sugars or glycerol have been implemented in yeast, enterobacterial species and other microorganisms. In this work, we investigated 3-HP metabolism of the well-studied 'Knallgas bacterium' Cupriavidus necator, a potential C1-chassis for the production of 3-HP and other fatty acid derivatives from CO2 and H2. When testing C. necator for its tolerance towards 3-HP, it was noted that it could utilise the compound as the sole source of carbon and energy.