The present application relates to recombinant microorganisms expressing a dehydratase useful in a one-step, direct fermentative production of one or more primary alkenes from one or more saturated primary or secondary alcohols. Known, well developed high-yielding pathways that use renewable feedstock can be introduced into the recombinant microorganisms to obtain the alcohol precursors. Also provided are methods of producing one or more primary alkenes using the recombinant microorganisms, as well as compositions comprising the recombinant microorganisms and/or optionally the primary alkene products.

In alternative embodiments, provided are non-natural or genetically engineered vinylisomerase-dehydratase enzymes, including alkenol dehydratases, linalool dehydratases and crotyl alcohol dehydratases. In alternative embodiments, provided are non-natural or genetically engineered polypeptides having an activity comprising, for example, a vinylisomerase-dehydratase, an alkenol dehydratase, a linalool dehydratase and/or a crotyl alcohol dehydratase activity, or a combination thereof. In alternative embodiments, also provided are non-natural or genetically engineered nucleic acids (polynucleotides) encoding polypeptides described herein, expression or cloning vehicles comprising or having contained therein nucleic acids as described herein, and non-natural or genetically engineered cells comprising or having contained therein nucleic acids as described herein. In alternative embodiments, also provided are methods for making various organic compounds, including methyl vinyl carbinol and butadiene.

The present application relates to recombinant microorganisms expressing a dehydratase useful in a one-step, direct fermentative production of one or more primary alkenes from one or more saturated primary or secondary alcohols. Known, well developed high-yielding pathways that use renewable feedstock can be introduced into the recombinant microorganisms to obtain the alcohol precursors. Also provided are methods of producing one or more primary alkenes using the recombinant microorganisms, as well as compositions comprising the recombinant microorganisms and/or optionally the primary alkene products.

In alternative embodiments, provided are non-natural or genetically engineered vinylisomerase-dehydratase enzymes, including alkenol dehydratases, linalool dehydratases and crotyl alcohol dehydratases. In alternative embodiments, provided are non-natural or genetically engineered polypeptides having an activity comprising, for example, a vinylisomerase-dehydratase, an alkenol dehydratase, a linalool dehydratase and/or a crotyl alcohol dehydratase activity, or a combination thereof. In alternative embodiments, also provided are non-natural or genetically engineered nucleic acids (polynucleotides) encoding polypeptides described herein, expression or cloning vehicles comprising or having contained therein nucleic acids as described herein, and non-natural or genetically engineered cells comprising or having contained therein nucleic acids as described herein. In alternative embodiments, also provided are methods for making various organic compounds, including methyl vinyl carbinol and butadiene.