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Wang L, Deng Y, Gao J, Wang B, Han H, Li Z, Zhang W, Wang Y, Fu X, Peng R, Yao Q, Tian Y, Xu J. Biosynthesis of melatonin from L-tryptophan by an engineered microbial cell factory. BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS 2024; 17:27. [PMID: 38369525 PMCID: PMC10874579 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-024-02476-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The demand for melatonin is increasing due to its health-promoting bioactivities such as antioxidant and sleep benefits. Although melatonin is present in various organisms, its low content and high extraction cost make it unsustainable. Biosynthesis is a promising alternative method for melatonin production. However, the ectopic production of melatonin in microorganisms is very difficult due to the low or insoluble expression of melatonin synthesis genes. Hence, we aim to explore the biosynthesis of melatonin using Escherichia coli as a cell factory and ways to simultaneously coordinated express genes from different melatonin synthesis pathways. RESULTS In this study, the mXcP4H gene from Xanthomonas campestris, as well as the HsAADC, HsAANAT and HIOMT genes from human melatonin synthesis pathway were optimized and introduced into E. coli via a multi-monocistronic vector. The obtained strain BL7992 successfully synthesized 1.13 mg/L melatonin by utilizing L-tryptophan (L-Trp) as a substrate in a shake flask. It was determined that the rate-limiting enzyme for melatonin synthesis is the arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase, which is encoded by the HsAANAT gene. Targeted metabolomics analysis of L-Trp revealed that the majority of L-Trp flowed to the indole pathway in BL7992, and knockout of the tnaA gene may be beneficial for increasing melatonin production. CONCLUSIONS A metabolic engineering approach was adopted and melatonin was successfully synthesized from low-cost L-Trp in E. coli. This study provides a rapid and economical strategy for the synthesis of melatonin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijuan Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Agricultural Genetics and Breeding, Biotechnology Research Institute of Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 2901 Beidi Road, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory for Safety Assessment (Environment) of Agricultural Genetically Modified Organisms Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, 2901 Beidi Road, Shanghai, China
| | - Yongdong Deng
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Agricultural Genetics and Breeding, Biotechnology Research Institute of Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 2901 Beidi Road, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory for Safety Assessment (Environment) of Agricultural Genetically Modified Organisms Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, 2901 Beidi Road, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianjie Gao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Agricultural Genetics and Breeding, Biotechnology Research Institute of Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 2901 Beidi Road, Shanghai, China
| | - Bo Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Agricultural Genetics and Breeding, Biotechnology Research Institute of Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 2901 Beidi Road, Shanghai, China
| | - Hongjuan Han
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Agricultural Genetics and Breeding, Biotechnology Research Institute of Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 2901 Beidi Road, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhenjun Li
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Agricultural Genetics and Breeding, Biotechnology Research Institute of Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 2901 Beidi Road, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenhui Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Agricultural Genetics and Breeding, Biotechnology Research Institute of Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 2901 Beidi Road, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Agricultural Genetics and Breeding, Biotechnology Research Institute of Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 2901 Beidi Road, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoyan Fu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Agricultural Genetics and Breeding, Biotechnology Research Institute of Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 2901 Beidi Road, Shanghai, China
| | - Rihe Peng
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Agricultural Genetics and Breeding, Biotechnology Research Institute of Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 2901 Beidi Road, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory for Safety Assessment (Environment) of Agricultural Genetically Modified Organisms Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, 2901 Beidi Road, Shanghai, China
| | - Quanhong Yao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Agricultural Genetics and Breeding, Biotechnology Research Institute of Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 2901 Beidi Road, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory for Safety Assessment (Environment) of Agricultural Genetically Modified Organisms Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, 2901 Beidi Road, Shanghai, China
| | - Yongsheng Tian
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Agricultural Genetics and Breeding, Biotechnology Research Institute of Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 2901 Beidi Road, Shanghai, China.
- Key Laboratory for Safety Assessment (Environment) of Agricultural Genetically Modified Organisms Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, 2901 Beidi Road, Shanghai, China.
| | - Jing Xu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Agricultural Genetics and Breeding, Biotechnology Research Institute of Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 2901 Beidi Road, Shanghai, China.
- Key Laboratory for Safety Assessment (Environment) of Agricultural Genetically Modified Organisms Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, 2901 Beidi Road, Shanghai, China.
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Arnao MB, Giraldo-Acosta M, Castejón-Castillejo A, Losada-Lorán M, Sánchez-Herrerías P, El Mihyaoui A, Cano A, Hernández-Ruiz J. Melatonin from Microorganisms, Algae, and Plants as Possible Alternatives to Synthetic Melatonin. Metabolites 2023; 13:metabo13010072. [PMID: 36676997 PMCID: PMC9862825 DOI: 10.3390/metabo13010072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2022] [Revised: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Melatonin dietary supplements are widely consumed worldwide, with developed countries as the largest consumers, with an estimated annual growth rate of approximately 10% until 2027, mainly in developing countries. The wide use of melatonin against sleep disorders and particular problems, such as jet lag, has been added to other applications, such as anti-aging, anti-stress, immune system activation, anticancer, and others, which have triggered its use, normally without a prescription. The chemical industry currently covers 100% of the needs of the melatonin market. Motivated by sectors with more natural consumption habits, a few years ago, the possibility of obtaining melatonin from plants, called phytomelatonin, arose. More recently, the pharmaceutical industry has developed genetically modified microorganisms whose ability to produce biological melatonin in bioreactors has been enhanced. This paper reviews the aspects of the chemical and biological synthesis of melatonin for human consumption, mainly as dietary supplements. The pros and cons of obtaining melatonin from microorganisms and phytomelatonin from plants and algae are analyzed, as well as the advantages of natural melatonin, avoiding unwanted chemical by-products from the chemical synthesis of melatonin. Finally, the economic and quality aspects of these new products, some of which are already marketed, are analyzed.
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Zhang XY, Zhang Y, Zhou Y, Liu ZF, Wei BB, Feng XS. Melatonin in different food samples: Recent update on distribution, bioactivities, pretreatment and analysis techniques. Food Res Int 2023; 163:112272. [PMID: 36596183 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2022.112272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2022] [Revised: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Melatonin (MLT) plays a significant role on maintaining the basic physiological functions and regulating various metabolic processes in plentiful organisms. Recent years have witnessed an increase in MLT's share in global market with its affluent functions. However, the worrisome quality issues and inappropriate or excessive application of MLT take place inevitably. In addition, its photosensitive properties, oxidation, complex substrate concentration and trace levels leave exact detection of MLT doubly difficult. Therefore, it is essential to exploit precise, sensitive and stable extraction and detection methods to resolve above questions. In this study, we reviewed the distribution and bioactivities of MLT and conducted a comprehensive overview of the developments of pretreatment and analysis methods for MLT in food samples since 2010. Commonly used pretreatment methods for MLT include not only traditional techniques, but also novel ones, such as solid-phase extraction, QuEChERS, microextraction by packed sorbent, solid phase microextraction, liquid phase microextraction, and so on. Analysis methods include liquid chromatography coupled with different detectors, GC methods, capillary electrophoresis, sensors, and so on. The advantages and disadvantages of different techniques have been compared and the development tendency was prospected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin-Yue Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China; Department of Clinical Pharmacy & Pharmacy Administration, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Yuan Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China
| | - Yu Zhou
- Department of Pharmacy, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021 China
| | - Zhi-Fei Liu
- School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China
| | - Bin-Bin Wei
- School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China.
| | - Xue-Song Feng
- School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China.
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Xie X, Ding D, Bai D, Zhu Y, Sun W, Sun Y, Zhang D. Melatonin biosynthesis pathways in nature and its production in engineered microorganisms. Synth Syst Biotechnol 2022; 7:544-553. [PMID: 35087957 PMCID: PMC8761603 DOI: 10.1016/j.synbio.2021.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Melatonin is a biogenic amine that can be found in plants, animals and microorganism. The metabolic pathway of melatonin is different in various organisms, and biosynthetic endogenous melatonin acts as a molecular signal and antioxidant protection against external stress. Microbial synthesis pathways of melatonin are similar to those of animals but different from those of plants. At present, the method of using microorganism fermentation to produce melatonin is gradually prevailing, and exploring the biosynthetic pathway of melatonin to modify microorganism is becoming the mainstream, which has more advantages than traditional chemical synthesis. Here, we review recent advances in the synthesis, optimization of melatonin pathway. l-tryptophan is one of the two crucial precursors for the synthesis of melatonin, which can be produced through a four-step reaction. Enzymes involved in melatonin synthesis have low specificity and catalytic efficiency. Site-directed mutation, directed evolution or promotion of cofactor synthesis can enhance enzyme activity and increase the metabolic flow to promote microbial melatonin production. On the whole, the status and bottleneck of melatonin biosynthesis can be improved to a higher level, providing an effective reference for future microbial modification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaotong Xie
- Dalian Polytechnic University, Dalian, 116000, PR China
| | - Dongqin Ding
- Tianjin Institutes of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, 300308, PR China
- Biodesign Center, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, 300308, PR China
| | - Danyang Bai
- Tianjin Institutes of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, 300308, PR China
- Biodesign Center, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, 300308, PR China
| | - Yaru Zhu
- Tianjin Institutes of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, 300308, PR China
- Biodesign Center, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, 300308, PR China
| | - Wei Sun
- Tianjin University of science and technology, Tianjin, 300308, PR China
| | - Yumei Sun
- Dalian Polytechnic University, Dalian, 116000, PR China
- Corresponding author.
| | - Dawei Zhang
- Tianjin Institutes of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, 300308, PR China
- Biodesign Center, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, 300308, PR China
- Corresponding author. Tianjin Institutes of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, 300308, PR China.
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Zhang Y, He Y, Zhang N, Gan J, Zhang S, Dong Z. Combining protein and metabolic engineering strategies for biosynthesis of melatonin in Escherichia coli. Microb Cell Fact 2021; 20:170. [PMID: 34454478 PMCID: PMC8403405 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-021-01662-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Melatonin has attracted substantial attention because of its excellent prospects for both medical applications and crop improvement. The microbial production of melatonin is a safer and more promising alternative to chemical synthesis approaches. Researchers have failed to produce high yields of melatonin in common heterologous hosts due to either the insolubility or low enzyme activity of proteins encoded by gene clusters related to melatonin biosynthesis. RESULTS Here, a combinatorial gene pathway for melatonin production was successfully established in Escherichia coli by combining the physostigmine biosynthetic genes from Streptomyces albulus and gene encoding phenylalanine 4-hydroxylase (P4H) from Xanthomonas campestris and caffeic acid 3-O-methyltransferase (COMT) from Oryza sativa. A threefold improvement of melatonin production was achieved by balancing the expression of heterologous proteins and adding 3% glycerol. Further protein engineering and metabolic engineering were conducted to improve the conversion of N-acetylserotonin (NAS) to melatonin. Construction of COMT variant containing C303F and V321T mutations increased the production of melatonin by fivefold. Moreover, the deletion of speD gene increased the supply of S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), an indispensable cofactor of COMT, which doubled the yield of melatonin. In the final engineered strain EcMEL8, the production of NAS and melatonin reached 879.38 ± 71.42 mg/L and 136.17 ± 1.33 mg/L in a shake flask. Finally, in a 2-L bioreactor, EcMEL8 produced 1.06 ± 0.07 g/L NAS and 0.65 ± 0.11 g/L melatonin with tryptophan supplementation. CONCLUSIONS This study established a novel combinatorial pathway for melatonin biosynthesis in E. coli and provided alternative strategies for improvement of melatonin production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanfeng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 1 West Beichen Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101, People's Republic of China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, People's Republic of China
| | - Yongzhi He
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 1 West Beichen Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101, People's Republic of China
| | - Nan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 1 West Beichen Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101, People's Republic of China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, People's Republic of China
| | - JiaJia Gan
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 1 West Beichen Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101, People's Republic of China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, People's Republic of China
| | - Shan Zhang
- Shenzhen Siyomicro Bio-Tech C., LTD, No. 39 Qingfeng Avenue, Baolong Community, Longgang District, Shenzhen, 518116, People's Republic of China.
| | - Zhiyang Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 1 West Beichen Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101, People's Republic of China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, People's Republic of China.
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Danilovich ME, Alberto MR, Juárez Tomás MS. Microbial production of beneficial indoleamines (serotonin and melatonin) with potential application to biotechnological products for human health. J Appl Microbiol 2021; 131:1668-1682. [PMID: 33484616 DOI: 10.1111/jam.15012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Micro-organisms have showed the ability to produce biologically active compounds associated with neurotransmission in higher organisms. In particular, serotonin- and melatonin-producing microbes are valuable sources for the development of eco-friendly bioproducts. Serotonin and melatonin are indoleamines that have received special attention due to their positive effects on human health. These biomolecules exert a critical role in several physiological or pathological processes, including some mental and neurological disorders. This article includes a review of the microbial production of serotonin and melatonin, their functions in micro-organisms and their potential uses as therapeutic and/or preventive agents to improve human health. A description of the quantification methods employed to detect indoleamines and the evidence found concerning their microbial production at laboratory and industrial scale-for application in biotechnological products-is also provided. The microbial ability to synthesize beneficial indoleamines should be further studied and harnessed, to allow the development of sustainable bioprocesses to produce foods and pharmaceuticals for human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- M E Danilovich
- Instituto de Biotecnología Farmacéutica y Alimentaria (INBIOFAL)-CONICET, Tucumán, Argentina
| | - M R Alberto
- Instituto de Biotecnología Farmacéutica y Alimentaria (INBIOFAL)-CONICET, Tucumán, Argentina
| | - M S Juárez Tomás
- Planta Piloto de Procesos Industriales Microbiológicos (PROIMI)-CONICET, Tucumán, Argentina
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Development of a Phytomelatonin-Rich Extract from Cultured Plants with Excellent Biochemical and Functional Properties as an Alternative to Synthetic Melatonin. Antioxidants (Basel) 2020; 9:antiox9020158. [PMID: 32079061 PMCID: PMC7070989 DOI: 10.3390/antiox9020158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2020] [Revised: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Melatonin is a pleiotropic molecule with multiple and various functions. In recent years, there has been a considerable increase in the consumption of melatonin supplements for reasons other than those related with sleep (as an antioxidant, for anti-aging, and as a hunger regulator). Although the chemical synthesis of melatonin has recently been improved, several unwanted by-products of the chemical reactions involved occur as contaminants. Phytomelatonin, melatonin of plant origin, was discovered in several plants in 1995, and the possibility of using raw plant material as a source to obtain dietary supplements rich in phytomelatonin instead of synthetic melatonin, with its corresponding chemical by-products was raised. This work characterizes the phytomelatonin-rich extract obtained from selected plant material and determines the contents in phytomelatonin, phenols, flavonoids, and carotenoids. Additionally, the antioxidant activity was measured. Finally, a melatonin-specific bioassay in fish was carried out to demonstrate the excellent biological properties of the natural phytomelatonin-rich extract obtained.
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Wang W, Su S, Wang S, Ye L, Yu H. Significantly improved catalytic efficiency of caffeic acid O-methyltransferase towards N-acetylserotonin by strengthening its interactions with the unnatural substrate's terminal structure. Enzyme Microb Technol 2019; 125:1-5. [PMID: 30885319 DOI: 10.1016/j.enzmictec.2019.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2018] [Revised: 02/12/2019] [Accepted: 02/13/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
O-Methylation of N-acetylserotonin (NAS) has been identified as the bottleneck in melatonin biosynthesis pathway. In the present paper, caffeic acid O-methyltransferase from Arabidopsis thaliana (AtCOMT) was engineered by rational design to improve its catalytic efficiency in conversion of NAS to melatonin. Based on the notable difference in the terminal structure of caffeic acid and NAS, mutants were designed to strengthen the interactions between the substrate binding pocket of the enzyme and the terminal structure of the unnatural substrate NAS. The final triple mutant (C296F-Q310L-V314T) showed 9.5-fold activity improvement in O-methylation of NAS. Molecular dynamics simulations and binding free energy analysis attributed the increased activity to the higher affinity between the substrate terminal structure and AtCOMT, resulting from the introduction of NH⋯π interaction by Phe296 substitution, hydrophobic interaction by Thr314 substitution and elimination of electrostatic repulsion by substitution of Gln310 with Leu310. This work provides hints for O-methyltransferase engineering and meanwhile lays foundation for biotechnological production of melatonin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenya Wang
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, China.
| | - Sisi Su
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Shizhuo Wang
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Lidan Ye
- Institute of Bioengineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China.
| | - Hongwei Yu
- Institute of Bioengineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China.
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