Biosensors for coenzyme A thioester derivatives: Development, optimization and applications

Jing Qiu; Amna Bibi; Alvaro R Lara; Qinhong Wang; Zongjie Dai

doi:10.1016/j.biotechadv.2025.108767

Biosensors for coenzyme A thioester derivatives: Development, optimization and applications

Biotechnol Adv. 2025 Nov 29:87:108767. doi: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2025.108767. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Jing Qiu¹, Amna Bibi², Alvaro R Lara³, Qinhong Wang², Zongjie Dai⁴

Affiliations

¹ Key Laboratory of Engineering Biology for Low-carbon Manufacturing, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin 300308, China; Sino-Danish College, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101408, China; National Center of Technology Innovation for Synthetic Biology, Tianjin 300308, China; Sino-Danish Centre for Education and Research, Beijing 101408, China.
² Key Laboratory of Engineering Biology for Low-carbon Manufacturing, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin 300308, China; National Center of Technology Innovation for Synthetic Biology, Tianjin 300308, China.
³ Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 10, Aarhus, C, Denmark.
⁴ Key Laboratory of Engineering Biology for Low-carbon Manufacturing, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin 300308, China; Sino-Danish College, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101408, China; National Center of Technology Innovation for Synthetic Biology, Tianjin 300308, China. Electronic address: daizj@tib.cas.cn.

PMID: 41325826
DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2025.108767

Abstract

Coenzyme A thioester derivatives, particularly acetyl-CoA, malonyl-CoA and fatty acyl-CoA, are essential central metabolites in microorganisms. These compounds play pivotal roles in numerous metabolic pathways and serve as key precursors in the biosynthesis of various high-value compounds, including fatty acids, polyketides, and flavonoids. The spatiotemporal distribution of CoA thioester derivatives is variable and tightly regulated, making real-time monitoring worthwhile. Biosensors have emerged as valuable tools for rapid and immediate detection because of their respond to changes of inducers. This has facilitated the development of efficient metabolic engineering strategies, including dynamic regulation and high-throughput screening. In this context, the review offers a comprehensive overview of the current progress, optimization, applications and limitations of biosensors for acetyl-CoA, malonyl-CoA, fatty acyl-CoA and other CoA thioester derivatives. Based on these limitations, it also outlines prospects for further development and discusses potential biosensor elements for CoA thioester derivatives.

Keywords: Biosensors; CoA thioester derivatives; Dynamic regulation; Metabolic engineering; Real-time monitoring; Synthetic biology.

Publication types

Review