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Engineering Mycobacterium smegmatis for testosterone production
Lorena Fernández-Cabezón1, Beatriz Galán1, José L García1
1Department of Environmental Biology, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
Microbial Biotechnology
|November 19, 2016
Summary
A novel biotechnological method uses engineered Mycobacterium smegmatis to produce testosterone (TS). This process offers a sustainable alternative to chemical synthesis for pharmaceutical steroid production.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Microbial Engineering
- Steroid Synthesis
Background:
- Current testosterone production relies on chemical synthesis.
- Mycobacterium smegmatis is a versatile model organism for biotechnological applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a biotechnological process for testosterone production using engineered Mycobacterium smegmatis.
- To evaluate the efficacy of recombinant M. smegmatis strains for testosterone synthesis.
Main Methods:
- Cloning and overexpression of 17β-hydroxysteroid: NADP 17-oxidoreductase genes from Comamonas testosteroni and Cochliobolus lunatus.
- Utilizing wild-type and engineered M. smegmatis strains (AD-producing mutant) as hosts.
- Testing recombinant strains in growing and resting-cell conditions with natural sterols and androst-4-ene-3,17-dione (AD) as substrates.
Main Results:
- Recombinant M. smegmatis strains demonstrated high yields in testosterone production from sterols and AD.
- Both wild-type and engineered host strains were successfully engineered for testosterone synthesis.
- The study confirmed the feasibility of using M. smegmatis for pharmaceutical steroid production.
Conclusions:
- Metabolic engineering of Mycobacterium smegmatis provides a viable biotechnological route for testosterone production.
- This approach presents a promising alternative to conventional chemical synthesis methods for pharmaceutical steroids.
- Further development of this model bacterium can advance sustainable steroid manufacturing.
