Whole-cell bioconversion for producing thymoquinone by engineered Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Synthetic Biology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Thymoquinone, a natural compound from Nigella sativa, exhibits significant therapeutic potential.
• Current production methods may be limited, necessitating alternative sustainable approaches.
• Bioconversion offers a promising route for producing valuable bioactive compounds.

Purpose of the Study:

• To engineer Saccharomyces cerevisiae for the biosynthesis of thymoquinone from thymol.
• To enhance thymoquinone production by optimizing enzymatic expression and cellular environment.
• To establish a microbial cell factory for sustainable thymoquinone production.

Main Methods:

• Expression of Origanum vulgare cytochrome P450 and Arabidopsis thaliana cytochrome P450 reductase (ATR1) in S. cerevisiae.
• Utilized flexible linkers for enzyme co-expression and modified the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) for increased production.
• Integrated genes into the chromosome and optimized media components for bioconversion.

Main Results:

• Successfully engineered S. cerevisiae to convert thymol to thymoquinone.
• Achieved significant improvements in thymol-to-thymoquinone conversion rate and yield.
• Demonstrated enhanced thymoquinone production through ER expansion and optimized conditions.

Conclusions:

• Engineered yeast provides a viable platform for producing thymoquinone from thymol.
• This microbial bioproduction strategy offers a sustainable alternative for obtaining a valuable bioactive ingredient.
• The study highlights the potential of synthetic biology for producing plant-derived compounds.