Glutamate-Cysteine Ligase Variant for Higher Glutathione Yield
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high production costs and low yields of glutathione synthesis methods hinder its widespread application in various fields due to the lack of commercialized enzyme processes, limiting its availability and utilization in pharmaceuticals, health functional foods, cosmetics, and food additives.
Innovation Solution
A novel glutamate-cysteine ligase variant is developed, where the 86th amino acid from the N-terminus of the amino acid sequence is substituted with a different amino acid, enhancing glutathione production in microorganisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional methods of synthesizing enzymes for glutathione production are used, then the process can be carried out, but the production cost is high and the yield is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the amino acid sequence of glutamate-cysteine ligase at specific positions (86th position substitution and/or 264th position substitution) to create an enzyme variant with enhanced catalytic activity. This biochemical parameter modification enables higher glutathione yield per unit time while maintaining cost-effectiveness through improved enzymatic efficiency rather than requiring expensive equipment or complex multi-step processes.
2Productivity
If microorganisms are cultured to produce glutathione, then glutathione can be obtained, but the yield is low and the process is not commercially viable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs copying by introducing the modified glutamate-cysteine ligase gene into host microorganisms (such as yeast or bacteria) to create recombinant strains. These host organisms serve as copies that inherit and express the enhanced enzymatic function, enabling scalable glutathione production through standard microbial culture techniques without requiring complex industrial-scale enzyme purification or synthesis facilities.
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 variant significantly increases glutathione yield, enabling its efficient production for use in cosmetic, food, and pharmaceutical compositions, with enhanced antioxidant, detoxification, and immunity effects.
Implementation Method 1
A novel glutamate-cysteine ligase variant is developed, where the 86th amino acid from the N-terminus of the amino acid sequence is substituted with a different amino acid, enhancing glutathione production in microorganisms.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a novel glutamate-cysteine ligase variant and a method of producing glutathione using the same.