Genetic engineering of cyanobacteria for the production of sulfated polysaccharide
How gene transfer enables a non-producing bacterium to synthesize biomaterials
Institute of Science Tokyo
image:
Researchers produce high-value biomaterials (SPS) in Synechococcus elongatus through genetic engineering.
view moreCredit: Institute of Science Tokyo
Genetically engineered cyanobacteria developed at Institute of Science Tokyo (Science Tokyo), Japan, produce sulfated polysaccharides using sunlight and carbon dioxide. By transferring an entire gene cluster responsible for the production of a sulfated polysaccharide, the researchers enabled a non-producing cyanobacterial strain to produce such a polysaccharide. The research demonstrates a sustainable route for manufacturing biomaterials using photosynthesis, expanding the possibilities for synthetic biology and green chemistry applications.
Biomolecules are naturally occurring molecules that form the basis of living systems. They are widely used in the production of a diverse range of materials. One such widely used biomolecule is sulfated polysaccharide (SPS) which includes sugar molecules attached to sulfate groups. These are widely used in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and functional materials due to their unique physical and biological properties. However, commercially available SPSs are usually derived from animal or marine sources, which raises concerns about their environmental impact, calling for alternative SPS production methods.
In search of a sustainable production method, a research team led by Assistant Professor Kaisei Maeda from the Laboratory for Chemistry and Life Science, Institute of Integrated Research, Institute of Science Tokyo, Japan, in collaboration with Professor Satoru Watanabe from the Department of Bioscience, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Japan, developed a novel strategy to genetically engineer bacteria for the production of SPS. Their study, published in Volume 16 of the journal Scientific Reports on April 28, 2026, demonstrates the successful transfer and functional integration of an entire gene cluster responsible for producing a sulfated polysaccharide known as “synechan.”
Cyanobacteria are photosynthetic microorganisms capable of converting carbon dioxide into useful compounds. Many cyanobacterial species naturally produce diverse sulfated polysaccharides. While these emerge as promising candidates for sustainable biomanufacturing, harnessing them in a controlled and scalable way has remained challenging.
“Our aim was to transfer the complex SPS-producing systems between these organisms to enable new functionality in those species which are easier to handle,” explains Maeda.
However, this strategy had not been previously demonstrated in these systems.
To achieve the same, the researchers focused on a model SPS-producing cyanobacterium, Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803, which produces synechan. They identified the gene cluster responsible for its production and transferred this gene system into Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942, a model cyanobacterium that does not naturally produce SPS. Remarkably, the engineered strain began producing extracellular SPSs, confirming that the transferred genes function cooperatively in the new host.
“By introducing the full gene set into Synechococcus elongatus, we demonstrated that complex biosynthetic pathways can be reconstructed to function in a different cyanobacterial species,” says Maeda.
The findings also revealed that the SPS produced by the engineered cells was similar to that of the original compound. Microscopy and biochemical assays confirmed the accumulation of extracellular SPS. Further analysis of gene activity showed that the introduced genes were working together, along with broader changes in the cells’ metabolism. These findings highlight both the feasibility and complexity of engineering biomolecule producing systems in photosynthetic organisms.
Apart from demonstrating proof of concept, the study also provides deep insights into the adaption of cellular metabolism in supporting the polysaccharide production. The engineered strain displayed changes in growth behavior and gene expression, leading to a shift towards a stress-response state while prioritizing the synthesis of these complex molecules. These findings prove to be valuable for optimizing the production efficiency in future studies.
Overall, the study represents an important step towards sustainable biomanufacturing using cyanobacteria. By enabling the production of SPS in a controllable microbial platform, this method could reduce reliance on animal and marine resources while supporting the development of environmentally friendly production systems.
In future, advances in synthetic biology could allow researchers to optimize polysaccharide composition, improve production yields, and design entirely new biomaterials with tailored properties. Combining photosynthesis with engineered biosynthesis pathways, cyanobacteria may serve as versatile “cell factories” for a wide range of industrial and biomedical applications, paving the way for a more sustainable and resource-efficient future.
***
About Institute of Science Tokyo (Science Tokyo)
Institute of Science Tokyo (Science Tokyo) was established on October 1, 2024, following the merger between Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU) and Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Tech), with the mission of “Advancing science and human wellbeing to create value for and with society.”
Journal
Scientific Reports
Method of Research
Experimental study
Subject of Research
Cells
Article Title
Transfer of the synechan biosynthesis and regulatory pathway enables sulfated polysaccharide production in Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942
No comments:
Post a Comment