Biosynthesis of Lacto-N-fucopentaose I in Escherichia coli by metabolic pathway rational design

Lacto-N-fucopentaose I (LNFP I), a member of the fucosylated human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) family, has received widespread attention because of its importance in infant health. However, constructing a low-cost microbial cell factory for high-efficient production of complex fucosylated HMOs remains challenging. Herein, an efficient engineered strain for LNFP I biosynthesis was reported by metabolic pathway rational design in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3). The fed-batch cultivation of engineered strains produced 2.11 g/L LNFP I, and the conversion rate of lacto-N-tetraose (LNT) to LNFP I reached 32.55 %, the highest level reported so far. The LNFP I-produced platform established here is broadly suitable for complex and branched HMOs production.

Automated summary

In this study, an efficient engineered strain for the biosynthesis of LNFP I was reported by rational design of metabolic pathways in Escherichia coli. The engineered strains produced high yields of LNFP I in fed-batch cultivation, with a conversion rate of lacto-N-tetraose to LNFP I reaching the highest level reported so far. The LNFP I-produced platform established here is broadly suitable for the production of complex and branched oligosaccharides.