Current advances of succinate biosynthesis in metabolically engineered Escherichia coli

As an important intermediate feedstock, succinate is termed as one of the 12 bio-based platform chemicals. To improve its fermentative production, various strategies have been developed, but challenges are still ahead for succinate biosynthesis to be cost-competitive. In this article, strategies for succinate production through metabolic engineering of Escherichia coli are critically reviewed, with a focus on engineering by-product formation and CO2 fixation, substrate utilization, reducing power balance, metabolic evolution and transcriptional regulation, which provide insights for the current state of succinate production and perspectives for further research for more efficient and economical production of bio-based succinate.