Designed bacteria produce coral-antibiotic against multi-resistant TB


Date:
August 17, 2020
Source:
Technical University of Munich (TUM)
Summary:
Corals growing on the reefs of the Bahamas produce an active agent
that kills multi-resistant tuberculosis bacteria. Scientistshave
managed to produce the antibiotic biotechnologically in the
laboratory - fast, cost- efficient and sustainably.



FULL STORY ========================================================================== Thomas Bru"ck saw the sea whip Antillogorgia elisabethae for the first
time 17 years ago while diving on a research trip to the Bahamas. He still remembers this encounter vividly, which took place 18 meters below the
water's surface: "Their polyp-covered, violet branchlets moved gently
in the current. A fascinating living organism!" As it also contains
various biologically active compounds, the biochemist since then has
studied the natural product biosynthesis of this soft coral.


==========================================================================
Sea whips are protected; despite this, their existence is in danger. The collection and sale of dried corals is a lucrative business, as these
contain various active agents, including an anti-inflammatory molecule
called pseudopterosin, which is used in the cosmetics industry for years.

"Coral reefs fix and store the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide and are biodiversity hotspots. If we want to protect the world's reefs, we have
to generate such biologically active natural products, via sustainable processes," says Bru"ck.

Natural antibiotic from the biotechnological laboratory Together with his
team at the Werner Siemens Chair of Synthetic Biotechnology, he has now
managed for the first time to produce one of the sea whip's active agents
in the laboratory -- without the need for a single reef inhabitant. The molecule "erogorgiaene" is an antibiotic. Initial bioactivity tests show,
that it is suitable for fighting multi-resistant tuberculosis pathogens.

Previously, a use of the active agent was almost unthinkable: The sea
whip contains only extremely small quantities of erogorgiaene and is additionally protected -- using it as a raw material source would be
neither financially feasible nor ecologically responsible. Although
production via conventional chemical synthesis is possible, it is complex
and associated with toxic waste.

A kilo of the active agent would cost around EUR 21,000.



========================================================================== Sustainable biotechnology reduces the production costs "However, with biotechnological methods, a consolidated erogorgiaene production is
feasible, in a more environmentally friendly manner and much cheaper. With
this method, the production costs per kilo would only be around EUR
9,000," emphasizes Bru"ck.

The new method, which he has developed together with colleagues from
Berlin, Canada, and Australia, consists of only two steps: The main
work is done by genetically optimized bacteria that feed on glycerin --
a residual substance from biodiesel production.

The bacteria generate a molecule, that can then be converted into the
desired active agent using a highly selective enzymatic step. No waste
is produced in the process, as all ancillary products can be reused in
a circular manner. A patent has been filed for the innovative production method.

Bioactive product development along the lines of nature "The new
technology platform for the production of bioactive natural products
via biotechnological methodologies complies with all 12 criteria of
Green Chemistry," says Thomas Bru"ck. "In addition, it fulfills four of
the UN Sustainability Goals: a healthy life for all, combating climate
change and its effects, preservation and sustainable use of the oceans
and maritime resources, and preservation of life on land." The research
team is now working on the biotechnological production of another coral
active agent: Using nature as a model, the molecule erogorgiaene is to
be converted into the active agent pseudopteropsin in the laboratory.

Medical professionals are placing great hope on the latter: Clinical
studies have shown that pseudopteropsin inhibits inflammations thanks to a
new mechanism of action. Thus, it is a potential therapeutic candidate to control excessive inflammatory reactions, for example in the case of viral infections, such as Covid-19, or during age-related chronic inflammations.


========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by
Technical_University_of_Munich_(TUM). Note: Content may be edited for
style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Marion Ringel, Markus Reinbold, Max Hirte, Martina Haack, Claudia
Huber,
Wolfgang Eisenreich, Mahmoud A. Masri, Gerhard Schenk, Luke
W. Guddat, Bernhard Loll, Russell Kerr, Daniel Garbe, Thomas
Bru"ck. Towards a sustainable generation of pseudopterosin-type
bioactives. Green Chemistry, 2020; DOI: 10.1039/D0GC01697G ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/08/200817123110.htm

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