Method for increasing production of microbial metabolites by genetic engineering

Abstract

Targeted gene insertion methodology can increase the production of an antimicrobial metabolite and comprises the steps of: a) identifying the gene in unaltered chromosomal DNA which encodes an enzyme that catalyzes the rate controlling step in a biosynthetic pathway in the production of increased concentration of a precursor to a core molecule which leads to the antimicrobial metabolite; and b) inserting into unaltered chromasomal DNA a genetic delivery vehicle (such as a vector, phage, or virus) which carries a gene which encodes the enzyme that catalyzes the rate controlling step in the biosynthesis in the production of a core molecule which is a precursor to the antimicrobial metabolite into unaltered chromosomal DNA, said delivery vehicle being compatible with said unaltered chromosomal DNA, the delivery vehicle being generated by inserting at least one exact or modified copy of the gene determining the rate controlling step into the compatible delivery vehicle, and inserting the delivery vehicle containing the gene into the unaltered chromosomal DNA so that the resulting altered chromosomal DNA has increased genetic material for performing the rate controlling function.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.