Described is a method for the conversion of 3-methylcrotonyl-CoA into 3-hydroxy-3-methylbutyric acid comprising the steps of: (a) enzymatically converting 3-methylcrotonyl-CoA into 3-hydroxy-3-methylbutyryl-CoA; and (b) further enzymatically converting the thus produced 3-hydroxy-3-methylbutyryl-CoA into 3-hydroxy-3-methylbutyric acid wherein the enzymatic conversion of 3-hydroxy-3-methylbutyryl-CoA into 3-hydroxy-3-methylbutyric acid according to step (b) is achieved by first converting 3-hydroxy-3-methylbutyryl-CoA into 3-hydroxy-3-methylbutyryl phosphate and then subsequently converting the thus produced 3-hydroxy-3-methylbutyryl phosphate into 3-hydroxy-3-methylbutyric acid.

The invention provides non-naturally occurring microbial organisms containing a fatty alcohol, fatty aldehyde or fatty acid pathway, wherein the microbial organisms selectively produce a fatty alcohol, fatty aldehyde or fatty acid of a specified length. Also provided are non-naturally occurring microbial organisms having a fatty alcohol, fatty aldehyde or fatty acid pathway, wherein the microbial organisms further include an acetyl-CoA pathway. In some aspects, the microbial organisms of the invention have select gene disruptions or enzyme attenuations that increase production of fatty alcohols, fatty aldehydes or fatty acids. The invention additionally provides methods of using the above microbial organisms to produce a fatty alcohol, a fatty aldehyde or a fatty acid.

The invention provides non-naturally occurring microbial organisms containing a fatty alcohol, fatty aldehyde or fatty acid pathway, wherein the microbial organisms selectively produce a fatty alcohol, fatty aldehyde or fatty acid of a specified length. Also provided are non-naturally occurring microbial organisms having a fatty alcohol, fatty aldehyde or fatty acid pathway, wherein the microbial organisms further include an acetyl-CoA pathway. In some aspects, the microbial organisms of the invention have select gene disruptions or enzyme attenuations that increase production of fatty alcohols, fatty aldehydes or fatty acids. The invention additionally provides methods of using the above microbial organisms to produce a fatty alcohol, a fatty aldehyde or a fatty acid.

Genetically engineered bacteria, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and methods of treating or preventing autoimmune disorders, inhibiting inflammatory mechanisms in the gut, and/or tightening gut mucosal barrier function are disclosed.

The present invention provides microorganisms capable of converting acetyl-coA into crotyl alcohol as well as fermentation methods for producing crotyl alcohol, either alone, or in combination with acetone and/or isopropanol. The microorganisms may be genetically engineered to express and/or disrupt one or more of the following enzymes: acetaldehyde dehydrogenase, alcohol dehydrogenase, bifunctional acetaldehyde/alcohol dehydrogenase, aldehyde oxidoreductase, phosphotransacetylase, acetate kinase, CoA-transferase A, CoA-transferase B, acetoacetate decarboxylase, secondary alcohol dehydrogenase, butyryl-CoA dehydro genase (BCD), and/or trans-2-enoyl-CoA reductase (TER).

The invention relates to a genetically engineered bacterium having an enzyme that converts 3-hydroxyisovaleryl-CoA to 3-hydroxyisovalerate and an enzyme that converts 3-hydroxyisovalerate to isobutylene. Typically, the bacterium is capable of producing isobutylene from a gaseous substrate containing CO, CO.sub.2, and/or H.sub.2, such as syngas or an industrial waste gas.

Genetically engineered bacteria, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and methods of treating or preventing autoimmune disorders, inhibiting inflammatory mechanisms in the gut, and/or tightening gut mucosal barrier function are disclosed.

Described is a method for the production of isobutene from 3-methylcrotonyl-CoA comprising the steps of: (a) enzymatically converting 3-methylcrotonyl-CoA into 3-methylbutyric acid; and (b) further enzymatically converting the thus produced 3-methylbutyric acid into isobutene.

The conversion of 3-methylcrotonyl-CoA into 3-methylbutyric acid can be achieved by first enzymatically converting 3-methylcrotonyl-CoA into 3-methyl butyryl-CoA and further enzymatically converting the thus produced 3-methylbutyryl-CoA into 3-methylbutyric acid. Alternatively, the conversion of 3-methylcrotonyl-CoA into 3-methylbutyric acid can be achieved by first enzymatically converting 3-methylcrotonyl-CoA into 3-methylcrotonic acid and then further enzymatically converting the thus produced 3-methylcrotonic acid into 3-methylbutyric acid.

Genetically engineered bacteria, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and methods of attenuating metabolic diseases are disclosed.

Described are methods for the production of isobutene comprising the enzymatic conversion of 3-methylcrotonic acid into isobutene wherein said 3-methylcrotonic acid is obtained by the enzymatic conversion of 3-methylcrotonyl-CoA into 3-methylcrotonic acid or wherein said 3-methylcrotonic acid is obtained by the enzymatic conversion of 3-hydroxyisovalerate (HIV) into 3-methylcrotonic acid. It is described that the enzymatic conversion of 3-methylcrotonic acid into isobutene can, e.g., be achieved by making use of a 3-methylcrotonic acid decarboxylase, preferably an FMN-dependent decarboxylase associated with an FMN prenyl transferase, an aconitate decarboxylase (EC 4.1.1.6), a methylcrotonyl-CoA carboxylase (EC 6.4.1.4), or a geranoyl-CoA carboxylase (EC 6.4.1.5).