Marina Donova
Russian Academy of Sciences, Russia
Title: Phytosterol bioconversions by Actinobacteria and their application in steroid pharmaceutical industry
Biography
Biography: Marina Donova
Abstract
Phytosterols represent available and low-cost raw materials for steroid pharmaceutical industry. Bioconversion of phytosterols using selected wild-type and recombinant strains of actinobacteria is an effective way to produce high-valued steroidal drugs and their precursors. Although considerable progress was achieved during last decade in the development of biotechnologies for production of key intermediates from phytosterol, the important task is selection of suitable microorganisms, as well as creation of engineered strains to provide improved bioprocesses and to generate novel products. rnRecently, whole genome sequencing of several sterol-transforming actinobacteria strains was carried out and the phytosterol catabolism associated genes were revealed related to steroid import across the cell wall, side-chain degradation and steroid core degradation, as well as to other key steroid modifications. The features of the genomes clarified the capability of the strains to accumulate different androstanes as major products from phytosterol. The transcriptomic studies provided more clear understanding of the role of candidate genes in steroid modifications by the strains. The significance of the findings for creating of effective microbial catalysts for phytosterol conversion is highlighted.rnThe novel data on the production methods of androstenedione (AD), 1-dehydro-AD (ADD), 9α-hydroxy-AD, 11α-hydroxy-AD, 9(11)-dehydro-AD, dehydroepiandrosterone, testosterone, 1-dehydrotestosterone, as well as progesterone and 20-hydroxymethylpregnanes from phytosterol using selected and engineered actinobacteria are presented. rnThe challenges and prospects of phytosterol conversion by actinobacteria are discussed.rn