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Metabolic Engineering Strategy for Bacillus subtilis Producing MK-7.
Shiying Wu1,2, Xiuwen Sun2, Tingwen Fan2
1Key Laboratory of Plant Biotechnology of Liaoning Province, School of Life Sciences, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian 116081, China.
Foods (Basel, Switzerland)
|December 11, 2025
Summary
Menaquinone-7 (MK-7), a vitamin K2 form, is crucial for vascular health. Metabolic engineering of Bacillus subtilis enhances MK-7 production for industrial applications.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Microbiology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Menaquinone-7 (MK-7) is a bioactive vitamin K2 form with significant health benefits, including inhibition of vascular calcification and maintenance of calcium homeostasis.
- Bacillus subtilis is a well-established microbial host for MK-7 production due to its natural biosynthetic pathway, genetic tractability, and safety profile.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in the metabolic engineering of Bacillus subtilis for enhanced MK-7 production.
- To analyze the MK-7 biosynthetic pathway and discuss strategies for optimizing its industrial fermentation.
Main Methods:
- Pathway analysis of MK-7 biosynthesis in Bacillus subtilis.
- Metabolic engineering strategies targeting substrate utilization, secretion, spore/biofilm formation, and oxidative-stress defense.
Main Results:
- Identification of key modules for MK-7 production optimization.
- Discussion of engineering approaches to improve MK-7 yield in Bacillus subtilis.
Conclusions:
- Bacillus subtilis serves as an efficient chassis for industrial MK-7 fermentation.
- Targeted metabolic engineering can significantly boost MK-7 production, offering therapeutic and industrial benefits.
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