Potential Application of the Recombinant Escherichia coli-Synthesized Heme as a Bioavailable Iron Source
2009
Kwon, O.H., The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Republic of Korea | Kim, S.S., The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Republic of Korea | Hahm, D.H., Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea | Lee, S.Y., Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea | Kim, P., The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Republic of Korea
To investigate the potential use of microbial heme as an iron source, recombinant Escherichia coli coexpressing ALA synthase (HemA) as well as the NADP-dependent malic enzyme (MaeB) and dicarboxylic acid transporter (DctA) were cultured. The typical red pigment extracted from the recombinant E. coli after 38 h showed highest absorbance at 407 nm, and the amount of iron in 38.4 mg of microbial heme extract derived from 6-l fermentation broth was 4.1 mg. To determine the commercial potential of the recombinant E.coli-synthesized iron-associated heme as an iron source, mice were fed the iron-free provender with the microbial heme extract. The average body weight reduction of mice fed non-iron provender was 2.3%, whereas no detectable weight loss was evident in mice fed microbial heme addition after 15 days. The heme content of the blood from microbial heme fed mice was 4.2 mg/ml whereas that of controls was 2.4 mg/ml, which implies that the microbial heme could be available for use as an animal iron source.
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