Implementation of Metabolic Engineering to Construct a Robust Platform for Resveratrol Production and Protein Engineering Study of Stilbene Synthase

Resveratrol (3,4’,5-Stilbenetriol) is a promising polyphenol, reported to have various anti-cancer, copper chelation, anti-oxidant scavenging of free radicals and anti-aging effects.  It is synthesized by a plant type III polyketide synthase: Stilbene synthase, via the phenylpropanoid pathway, from a tetraketide intermediate.  Plant extraction or chemical synthesis; both are economically non feasible methods for producing higher titers to meet the current market demands. The bacterial production platform for Resveratrol was optimized, by trying out combinations of heterologous expression methods, like different expression systems, and bacterial production strains. Also enhancement of intracellular Malonyl-CoA led to the final titers of 2.3 g/L.  We are also attempting to produce a library of compounds similar to Resveratrol, by systematic mutation of the functionally important residues in Stilbene Synthase.