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Team:INSA-Lyon/Project/Stage2/Theory
From 2010.igem.org
Stage 2 : PHB factory !
The formation steps of those granules are not well determined, but their final structure and composition have been described. The three PHB biosynthesis genes are organized in one operon in the Ralstonia eutropha H16 strain: the phaCAB operon. In addition to the three essential enzymes for the PHB granules biosynthesis, other proteins contribute to the regulation and the formation of the granules. They can be separated in three classes: the depolymerases (PhaZ), the regulatory proteins (PhaR) and the phasins (PhaP). They are located on the lipidic surface of the granule (see on Figure 2).
Thanks the understanding of the PHA granule synthesis, we aim on the first time to synthesize granules of other lipids according to the theory that any hydrophobic lipids would accumulate in granules under the control of chosen enzymes. We want to use E.coli as a factory of lipids with a medical interest such as EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) or DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). The extraction of those lipids would be simplified by the accumulation in granules.
The production of EPA, which is one of the principal omega-3 fatty acids, represents a real interest because the body is not able to synthesize itself this fatty acid. We can find them in our alimentation with fish or oil, but our consummation is often not sufficient to satisfy our needs. The body can metabolize EPA from ALA alpha-linoleic acid but it is limited and EPA is also a precurseur of DHA, an other important omega-3 fatty acids.
Some studies showed the benefits of the omega-3-fatty acid like EPA or DHA on the health: they reduce the risks of cardio-vascular diseases, the diabetes. That’s why it’s necessary to find an other way to produce them
Concerning the massive production of this fatty acid, some researches showed that microalgae are able to synthesized EPA and DHA. However, because of their metabolism photoautotroph, the production of biomass microalgae large-scale requires the conception of specific bioreactors, photo-bioreactors, which represent even today a technological challenge. Thus it is necessary to confirm the economic viability of the industrial processes of production of EPA and DHA by microalgae.
It is in this context that the production of fatty acid by bacteria like E.coli seems to be a revolution since E.coli is the bacteria the best characterized and usually used to overproduce interest substance.
