Engineered Probiotic Compositions for Gut Methionine Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for reducing methionine intake require restrictive diets and supplementation, which are costly and lead to low patient compliance, making them unsustainable for long-term health management.
Innovation Solution
Engineered probiotic microorganisms are developed to reduce bioavailable methionine levels through genetic modifications, including enzymes that degrade methionine, importers, and regulators, which can be administered orally or rectally to modulate methionine levels in the gut.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If very restricted low protein diet and supplementation with Methionine-free amino acid formula are used, then methionine levels in diet are reduced, but compliance is low and quality of life is impacted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces probiotic microorganisms as intermediaries that naturally reside in the gut and metabolize methionine. These microorganisms serve as a mediator between dietary methionine and systemic methionine levels, reducing the need for strict dietary control while achieving therapeutic methionine reduction. The probiotics convert dietary methionine into other compounds through enzymatic activity, thereby lowering bioavailable methionine without requiring patients to adhere to restrictive diets.
2Quantity of substance
If very restricted low protein diet and supplementation with Methionine-free amino acid formula are used, then methionine levels in diet are reduced, but the approach is costly and unsustainable long term
Solution Approach 1:
The probiotic microorganisms are engineered to autonomously perform methionine metabolism in the gut. Once administered, these self-sustaining microorganisms continuously metabolize dietary methionine without requiring external intervention, supplementation, or monitoring. The system serves itself by utilizing the microorganisms' inherent metabolic pathways to maintain reduced methionine levels, eliminating the need for costly supplements and making the approach sustainable long-term.
3Quantity of substance
If engineered probiotic microorganisms are administered, then methionine levels are reduced effectively, but genetic modifications are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies specific parameters of the probiotic microorganisms' genetic makeup to enhance their methionine-metabolizing capacity. By altering gene expression levels, enzyme activity, or metabolic pathway efficiency through genetic modification, the microorganisms achieve superior methionine reduction capability. This parameter change approach allows precise control over the degree of methionine reduction while maintaining the overall simplicity of the probiotic system.
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
These engineered microorganisms effectively reduce methionine levels, providing health benefits such as reduced liver adiposity, extended lifespan, and increased cancer treatment efficacy, while being more compliant and cost-effective than traditional dietary restrictions.
Implementation Method 1
at least one exogenous copy of at least one gene encoding an enzyme that catalyzes the degradation of methionine, wherein the gene encoding an enzyme that catalyzes the degradation of methionine encodes a methionine gamma lyase
Data Source
AI summary
The technology described herein is directed to compositions and methods for reducing levels of methionine. In various aspects described herein are: engineered methionine-reducing probiotic microorganisms; engineered methanethiol-reducing probiotic microorganisms; and engineered taurine-producing probiotic microorganisms. Also described herein are methods of using such engineered microorganisms, such as for reduction of bioavailable methionine or for treatment of a methionine-associated disease or disorder. Also described herein are probiotic dietary supplements, pharmaceutical compositions, and food compositions comprising such engineered microorganisms.