The link of carbon catabolite repression elements, small RNAs CrcY and CrcZ and polyhydroxyalkanoate metabolism in Pseudomonas putida KT2440

One strategy to overcome poor mechanical properties of PHAs is to blend them with a second polymer. Medium chain length (mcl)-PHA acts as a plasticiser when blended with poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB), the most widespread used PHA resin. Here we show a clear effect of the overexpression of CCR elements CrcY and CrcZ in P. putida KT2440 on the amount of the accumulated mcl-PHA and its Mw, making this tool valuable to produce mcl-PHA-based additives. These findings highlight the complementary regulatory roles of CrcY and CrcZ in modulating CCR to optimise PHA production. This study provides insights into leveraging CCR elements to enhance the efficiency of PHA biosynthesis, contributing to the development of sustainable bioplastic production.