Structural Biology of PUFA synthesis in Schizochytrium sp.
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Identificadores
URI: https://hdl.handle.net/10902/26009Registro completo
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San Miguel Escudero, Sergio
Fecha
2022-06-20Director/es
Derechos
©Sergio San Miguel Escudero
Resumen/Abstract
ABSTRACT :
Dietary consumption of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFAs), especially
docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6 ω-3), has been related to diverse human health benefits such
as brain, immune and cardiovascular correct function. Currently, PUFAs main source are fish
oils. However, unsustainability of fish wild catch due to steady growth of global population has
forced to search for alternatives.
The heterotrophic microalgae-like protist Schizochytrium sp. can accumulate high amounts of
DHA compared to other DHA main producers like marine bacteria. Thus, it has become an ideal
microorganism for ω-3 production due to its DHA content and easy cultivation. Still, current state
of Schizochytrium sp. DHA viability to completely out-market fish oil is still unclear owing to its
high costs compared to the latter. In order to overcome this limitation, metabolic engineering for
enhancing DHA production in Schizochytrium sp. is being assessed. Nevertheless, absence of
structural information of its PUFA synthase enzymatic system limits the understanding of this
cumbersome process.
This master’s thesis work has focused on trying to obtain an improved comprehension of the
protein structure of pfa genes forming the Schizochytrium sp. PUFA synthase. To achieve this
ambitious goal different cloning, purification and crystallization strategies have been devised. The
in silico structural analysis of the proteins conforming the PUFA megasynthase complex has
shown the existence of two separate ER PUFA synthase domains non-present in other DHA
producers. A model for this ER duplication is proposed in this work.