Genetically Engineered Escherichia Coli as Natural Pharmaceutical Factory

Recently, scientists are more likely to put their interest in converting renewable resources into fuel. One of this is by using biological process called metabolism in converting methanol in several forms of specific chemical compounds. The production takes place either in vitro or in vivo by utilizing microorganism to perform the reaction including the Escherichia Coli.

Many of us think that Escherichia Coli or well known as E. Coli is one of bacteria that causes stomachache inside our body. However, for biologists and genetic engineer, that microorganism is one of the most precious gift that God ever gives us. E. Coli produces vitamin K2 which helps us to fight another pathogenic bacteria coming to our intestine. Even though, some types of E. coli can cause bout of diarrhea either in adult or children because of producing toxic called verotoxin.

Most of a people use E. Coli as an indicator of water contamination, however, recent study showed that this bacterium could be engineered to perform metabolic process. Brian Whitaker et al., has engineered the Escherichia Coli in converting methanol to specific chemical compounds biologically. They overcame the issue which is methanol dehydrogenation by manipulating the genetic code of E. Coli through ePathBrick and ePathOptimize cloning procedures. This helps them to construct varied mutant gene so they can have bacteria utilizing methanol.

But, why it has to be Escherichia Coli? The answers are based on the characteristics of the bacteria itself. They have high survival level so that they can grow in more than one of environmental conditions. It means they can be a parasite or the host, and they breath anaerobically which means they can live either with or without oxygen to perform metabolism. On the other hand, most of bacteria which are classified as methylotrophic have low quality of genetic tools in reducing one-carbon from methanol.

The process of converting methanol into another chemical compounds is occurred in the process of E. Coli’s metabolism. Inside the bacteria’s system, the methanol is cracked through oxidation process and it transforms into formaldehyde. The releasing of carbon dioxide on oxidation reaction creates three compounds which are classified into phosphate. It yields to isomerization process and starts the Embden-Meyerhof-Parnas. This secreted metabolite then is tested by liquid chromatography to find the exact materials. And they have found that the engineered bacteria utilize methanol in producing flavanone naringenin.

This experiment has shown not only for in vitro system but also in in vivo condition because from the original state, the bacteria are able to survive in many conditions. This synthesizing process can produce an agent which can slow or interfere another system through chemical reaction. This inhibitory property could be functioned in medical treatments. For example, some study suggested that naringenin can reduce virus of hepatitis C in cell culture and another research also suggested this flavonoid compound can lower the concentration of fat in rats. So, this is a biomaterial which can replace the use of drugs today.

Overall, engineered Escherichia Coli have ability to reduce single carbon so that the product is multi-carbon compounds. This capability could be used for reducing pollution related to methanol pollution. And also, the product can replace the use of drugs today and improve our medical treatment methods.