Establishment of an efficient production system of medium-chain fatty acid using Aurantiochytrium sp.

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K14772
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 38020:Applied microbiology-related
• Research Institution: Hiroshima University
• Principal Investigator: Watanabe Kenshi 広島大学, 統合生命科学研究科(先), 特任助教 (60781242)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 発酵生産 / 脂質 / 中鎖脂肪酸

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This research aims to produce medium-chain fatty acids by marine eukaryotic microorganisms, the genus Aurantiochytrium. Disruption of acyl-CoA oxidase genes related to fatty acid β-oxidation found in the genome of Aurantiochytrium sp. suggested that these acyl-CoA oxidases may not be specific to the carbon chain length of fatty acids. In addition, 46 thioesterase-like genes encoded in the genome of Aurantiochytrium sp. were classified by sequence comparison with previously reported thioesterases, and a gene encoding a protein with high amino acid homology to TesB, which has been reported to contribute to the release of medium-chain fatty acids, was found. We are continuing to analyze the function of this gene.

Free Research Field

生物工学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

多様な分野で需要が高まっている中鎖脂肪酸含有脂質を、気候や地理的条件によらず安定生産できる、油糧微生物による発酵生産を試みた。油糧微生物オーランチオキトリウム属の脂質代謝における脂肪酸鎖長に対する特異性について解析を行い、中鎖脂肪酸生産に向けた代謝改変を行うために有用な知見が得られた。