About this Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology article

A cell factory of Bacillus subtilis engineered for the simple bioconversion of myo -inositol to scyllo -inositol, a potential therapeutic agent for Alzheimer's disease by Masaru Yamaoka; Shin Osawa; Tetsuro Morinaga; Shinji Takenaka; Ken-ichi Yoshida is a Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology article available to read on EtoBox.

## Background A stereoisomer of inositol, __scyllo__-inositol, is known as a promising therapeutic agent for Alzheimer's disease, since it prevents the accumulation of beta-amyloid deposits, a hallmark of the disease. However, this compound is relatively rare in nature, whereas another stereoisomer of inositol, __myo__-inositol, is abundantly available. ## Results __Bacillus subtilis__ possesses a unique inositol metabolism involving both stereoisomers. We manipulated the inositol metabolism in __B. subtilis__ to permit the possible bioconversion from __myo__-inositol to __scyllo__-inositol. Within 48 h of cultivation, the engineered strain was able to convert almost half of 10 g/L __myo__-inositol to __scyllo__-inositol that accumulated in the culture medium. ## Conclusions The engineered __B. subtilis__ serves as a prototype of cell factory enabling a novel and inexpensive supply of __scyllo__-inositol.

Author

Masaru Yamaoka; Shin Osawa; Tetsuro Morinaga; Shinji Takenaka; Ken-ichi Yoshida

Publisher

BioMed Central; Springer (Biomed Central Ltd.); London: BioMed Central, 2002-; Springer Science and Business Media LLC; Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration Inc. (ISSN 1475-2859)

Published

2011

Language

EN

Field

Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology (Life Sciences)