Recent Advances on Key Enzymes of Microbial Origin in the Lycopene Biosynthesis Pathway

Characterization and functional reconstruction of a highly productive germacrene A synthase from Liriodendron chinense

Plants produce a large array of natural products which play important roles in flavours, fragrances and medicines. However, some high-value plant intermediate metabolites cannot be directly extracted from plants. The tulip tree (Liriodendron chinense) in the Magnoliaceae family is rich in sesquiterpenes. Upon characterizing the functions of 11 Liriodendron chinense terpene synthases, we discovered that LcTPS3 could produce high yields of (+)-germacrene A, which was shown to be a central scaffold in sesquiterpene biosynthesis. This compound can be completely transformed into β-elemene at high temperature, a broad-spectrum antitumor drug widely used in clinical treatment. By expressing LcTPS3 in a precursor-providing Saccharomyces cerevisiae chassis and with the aid of metabolic engineering, the fermentation yield of (+)-germacrene A has been achieved at 14.71 g/L. Site-directed mutagenesis experiments and molecular dynamics simulations revealed that the A280V suppresses the cyclization of substrate by influencing the conformation of the enzyme-substrate. The Y282L facilitates secondary cyclization to produce α-guaiene by shortening the distance between the catalytic residue Y531 and the substrate. These insights underscore the high plasticity of LcTPS3 and suggest that its targeted engineering could unlock the synthesis of a wider array of valuable sesquiterpenes.

Lycopene in male infertility

Male infertility is a major concern around the world, and efforts to find effective therapies to improve reproductive results are continuing. Factors such as genetics, hormonal disorders, lifestyle, and environmental pollutants have been mentioned as the pathoetiology of male infertility. The treatment of male infertility is far from optimal despite the recent signs of progress provided by assisted reproductive technology. Therefore, many efforts are being made to improve the therapeutical approaches to male infertility, which generally target the factors involved in the pathophysiology of the disease. Lycopene is a naturally occurring pigment belonging to the carotenoid family, which imparts a vibrant red color to various fruits and vegetables. It is widely assumed that lycopene may be an optimal option for the improvement of male fertility, however, the verification its therapeutic potential in male infertility has not been comprehensively reviewed. The study discusses the ability of lycopene to improve semen parameters, including sperm morphology, and motility which are important determinants of male reproductive health. Moreover, lycopene's capacity to regulate sex hormones, such as testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which play crucial roles in sperm production and maturation is explained. Additionally, lycopene effects on specific signaling pathways involved in male fertility, including prokineticin-2 (PROK2) and PI3K/Akt pathways, that influence sperm function are clarified. Furthermore, the impacts of lycopene as a potent antioxidant in defending against oxidative stress, a leading cause of male infertility, are presented. Overall, the results indicate that lycopene may have beneficial effects on improving male fertility by increasing sperm parameters, modulating sex hormones and signaling pathways, and providing antioxidant protection. Due to limited reports, additional clinical data is required to confirm the positive effects of lycopene on male fertility in humans.

Insights into the synthesis, engineering, and functions of microbial pigments in Deinococcus bacteria

The ability of Deinococcus bacteria to survive in harsh environments, such as high radiation, extreme temperature, and dryness, is mainly attributed to the generation of unique pigments, especially carotenoids. Although the limited number of natural pigments produced by these bacteria restricts their industrial potential, metabolic engineering and synthetic biology can significantly increase pigment yield and expand their application prospects. In this study, we review the properties, biosynthetic pathways, and functions of key enzymes and genes related to these pigments and explore strategies for improving pigment production through gene editing and optimization of culture conditions. Additionally, studies have highlighted the unique role of these pigments in antioxidant activity and radiation resistance, particularly emphasizing the critical functions of deinoxanthin in D. radiodurans. In the future, Deinococcus bacterial pigments will have broad application prospects in the food industry, drug production, and space exploration, where they can serve as radiation indicators and natural antioxidants to protect astronauts' health during long-term space flights.