Engineered Microorganism Xylose Assimilation MAA Production

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for producing mycosporine-like amino acids, natural UV-blocking substances, face challenges due to low production efficiency and complex conditions for culturing microalgae, making large-scale production difficult.

Innovation Solution

A microorganism is engineered with xylose assimilation enzymes and enhanced pentose phosphate pathway enzymes to increase production efficiency of mycosporine-like amino acids, using xylose as a carbon source and incorporating specific biosynthesis genes to enhance biosynthesis pathways.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If microalgae are used to produce mycosporine-like amino acids, then natural UV-blocking substances are obtained, but the production amount is very small and culturing conditions are complicated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenatural UV-blocking substance productionVSAvoidproduction amount

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the host microorganism from microalgae to bacteria (E. coli, B. subtilis, or B. megaterium) and modifies metabolic parameters by introducing heterologous genes for MAA biosynthesis enzymes, thereby increasing production amount while maintaining natural UV-blocking properties

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses bacteria as intermediary organisms that can be easily cultured and genetically modified, serving as a mediator to produce MAA through introduced biosynthesis pathways without requiring complex microalgae culturing conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If microalgae are used to produce mycosporine-like amino acids, then natural UV-blocking substances are obtained, but culturing and separation conditions are complicated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenatural UV-blocking substance productionVSAvoidculturing and separation conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the host system from microalgae to bacteria, which have simpler culturing requirements (standard bacterial media and conditions) and easier separation protocols (centrifugation, extraction), thereby reducing operational complexity while maintaining product quality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs rapidly growing bacteria that can be cultured in simple, inexpensive media and quickly harvested, replacing the need for complex, long-term microalgae culturing systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If conventional biosynthesis pathways are used, then mycosporine-like amino acids are produced, but production efficiency is low

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemycosporine-like amino acid productionVSAvoidproduction efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces complete MAA biosynthesis gene clusters (including genes for cyclohexanone synthesis, amino acid attachment, and methyltransferase activity) into the host bacteria in advance, enabling direct and efficient MAA production without relying on inefficient natural pathways

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes biosynthesis parameters by selecting appropriate host organisms and introducing heterologous genes with optimized expression levels, thereby significantly enhancing production efficiency compared to conventional approaches

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The engineered microorganism significantly enhances the production efficiency of mycosporine-like amino acids, allowing for efficient fermentation and utilization of lignocellulosic biomass, overcoming previous production limitations.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectXylose assimilation: Fermentation

Implementation Method 2

A microorganism is engineered with xylose assimilation enzymes and enhanced pentose phosphate pathway enzymes to increase production efficiency of mycosporine-like amino acids

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPentose phosphate pathway: Fermentation

Implementation Method 3

the mycosporine-like amino acid is a form in which a nitrogen compound is bound to a cyclohexanamine core structure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMycosporine-like amino acid biosynthesis: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS20230064780A1Mycosporine-like amino acid-producing microorganism and method for production of mycosporine-like amino acids by using same

Publication Date: 2023.03.02 CJ CHEILJEDANG CORP

AI summary

Provided are a mycosporine-like amino acid-producing microorganism and a method for production of mycosporine-like amino acids by using same. The microorganism can produce mycosporine-like amino acids from xylose.