Recombinant microorganisms for in vivo production of sulfated glycosaminoglycans

Abstract

In order to produce chondroitin sulfate in an animal-free manner, engineered E. coli host cells were modified so as to reduce expression of an endogenous gene for fructosyltransferase (kfoE); reduce expression of an endogenous gene for 3′-phosphoadenosine-5′-phosphosulfate reductase (cysH); and express one or more exogenous sulfotransferases. Expression of proteins forming ATP-binding cassette transporters were also reduced to limit export of glycosaminoglycans from the cells. The recombinant microorganisms are able produce all three components identified for chondroitin sulfate production—chondroitin, sulfate donor, and sulfotransferase. These modified E. coli are capable of complete, essentially one-step biosynthesis of chondroitin sulfate at a variety of sulfation levels from simple microbial media components and glucose. This is a major advantage over current production methods that depend on the natural distribution of chondroitin sulfate types in the animal tissue.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.