Biosynthesis of 5-deoxyflavanones in microorganisms

Area of Science:

• Plant biochemistry
• Metabolic engineering
• Microbial biotechnology

Background:

• Flavanones are precursors to flavonoids, a diverse group of plant polyphenols.
• Legumes utilize unique 5-deoxyflavanones in symbiotic interactions.
• Understanding and producing these compounds is crucial for agricultural and medicinal applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To construct and evaluate a heterologous metabolic pathway for 5-deoxyflavanone biosynthesis.
• To compare the efficiency of different plant gene sources in microbial hosts.
• To establish microbial platforms for producing high-value 5-deoxyflavanones.

Main Methods:

• Engineered a four-step metabolic circuit in Escherichia coli using plant genes (4-coumarate:CoA ligase, CHS, chalcone reductase, chalcone isomerase).
• Utilized Petroselinum crispum, Medicago sativa, and Petunia x hybrida genes.
• Tested different precursors (p-coumaric acid, cinnamic acid, caffeic acid) and microbial hosts (E. coli, Saccharomyces cerevisiae).

Main Results:

• Escherichia coli produced the highest liquiritigenin yields using Petunia x hybrida CHS and p-coumaric acid.
• Saccharomyces cerevisiae produced both 5-hydroxyflavanone and 5-deoxyflavanone, but at lower yields than E. coli.
• The pathway successfully metabolized various phenylpropanoid acids into corresponding 5-deoxyflavanones.

Conclusions:

• Recombinant E. coli and S. cerevisiae strains provide alternative platforms for 5-deoxyflavanone biosynthesis.
• This engineered pathway aids in the biochemical characterization of flavonoid biosynthetic enzymes.
• Developed a promising biotechnological approach for producing valuable natural products.