Variants of acetylserotonin o-methyltransferase and uses thereof
AssigneeDanmarks Tekniske Universitet
InventorHao LUO
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Abstract
Described herein are variants of acetylserotonin O-methyltransferase (ASMT) as well as vectors and recombinant microbial host cells expressing such ASMT variant and their use in producing melatonin and related compounds. Preferred ASMT variants provide for a higher turnover of N-acetylserotonin into melatonin.
Claims20
A variant of Homo sapiens acetylserotonin O-methyltransferase (hsASMT), the variant having at least 92% sequence identity to hsASMT (SEQ ID NO:1) and comprising one or more mutations in the segment corresponding to residues A258 to T272 in Homo sapiens ASMT (SEQ ID NO:1), providing for an increased catalytic activity in converting N-acetylserotonin to melatonin as compared to hsASMT.
A variant of hsASMT, the variant comprising SEQ ID NO:1, or a catalytically active fragment thereof, having a A258E, G260D or T272A mutation.
A recombinant host cell derived from an E. coli cell, comprising an ASMT, a native or heterologous biosynthetic pathway for producing N-acetylserotonin, a native or heterologous pathway for recycling SAH into SAM, and a deletion or downregulation of the cfa gene.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.