Aeromonas spp. as a fast-growing high-performance chassis for protein production.

Recombinant protein production is crucial for biotechnology and industrial processes. While Escherichia coli and other bacterial systems are effective, alternative systems can complement their limitations in specific applications. We introduce AMAX, a fast-growing high-performance bacterial chassis with target protein yields comprising 60-70% of total protein content. AMAX is compatible with common protein expression vectors, exhibits a growth rate comparable to Vibrio natriegens, and can adapt to diverse conditions, including co-production with E. coli, freshwater to seawater salinity, and contaminant phages. We also demonstrate the versatility of AMAX in producing several commercially valuable enzymes at high yield and purity. Transcriptomic and proteomic analyses highlight its robust regulatory networks and potential for outer membrane vesicle (OMV)-mediated cargo delivery. Safety evaluation using multiple eukaryotic models indicates it is nontoxic. These results demonstrate AMAX as a valuable tool for recombinant protein production.

Importance: AMAX complements current systems by addressing challenges such as phage contamination and high GC-content protein expression, while offering rapid growth, high protein yields, and adaptability to saline environments. Its favorable biosafety profile and potential for OMV-based protein delivery further enhance its application, making it a versatile platform for sustainable and efficient bioproduction.