Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 29, 2026

A Customizable Approach for the Enzymatic Production and Purification of Diterpenoid Natural Products
Published on: October 4, 2019
Engineering the lactococcal mevalonate pathway for increased sesquiterpene production
Adelene A Song1, Janna Ong Abdullah, Mohd P Abdullah
1Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia.
Lactococcus lactis, a food-grade bacterium, can be engineered for isoprenoid production. Co-expressing mvk and mvaA genes in L. lactis doubled the production of β-sesquiphellandrene, enhancing its potential as a host.
Area of Science:
- Metabolic engineering
- Synthetic biology
- Microbial biotechnology
Background:
- Isoprenoids are vital secondary metabolites with renewed interest due to genetic engineering.
- Escherichia coli and yeasts are common hosts, utilizing MEP and mevalonate pathways, respectively.
- Lactococcus lactis, a food-grade Gram-positive bacterium, utilizes the mevalonate pathway, making it an attractive alternative host.
Purpose of the Study:
- To engineer Lactococcus lactis as an efficient host for heterologous isoprenoid production.
- To analyze the gene expression of the lactococcal mevalonate pathway.
- To increase β-sesquiphellandrene production in L. lactis.
Main Methods:
- RT-qPCR analysis of the lactococcal mevalonate pathway gene expression.
- Heterologous expression of plant sesquiterpene synthases in L. lactis.
- Overexpression of mvk and co-expression of mvk with mvaA genes.
Main Results:
- Gene expression of the lactococcal mevalonate pathway was analyzed.
- L. lactis successfully produced sesquiterpenes via heterologous expression.
- Co-expression of mvk and mvaA genes doubled β-sesquiphellandrene production.
Conclusions:
- Lactococcus lactis is a promising host for isoprenoid production.
- Engineering the mevalonate pathway enhances isoprenoid yield in L. lactis.
- Co-expression of mvk and mvaA represents an effective strategy for boosting β-sesquiphellandrene biosynthesis.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Biosynthesis in Bacteria
Microbes in the Production of Fermented Foods
Production of Antibiotics
Production of Organic Acids
Biosynthesis of Lipids
Loss of Carboxy Group as CO2: Decarboxylation of Malonic Acid Derivatives

