Microbial Synthesis of Nucleosides: Advances and Prospects

Nucleosides and its derivatives are essential chemicals with extensive applications in the food, agricultural, and pharmaceutical industries. Chemical synthesis of these compounds often faces problems such as harsh reaction conditions and environmental pollution, whereas microbial synthesis provides a promising and sustainable alternative. This review discusses recent advances in the biosynthesis of nucleosides and their derivatives. It begins by discussing the biosynthetic pathways and metabolic regulatory systems found in bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis. Further, the progress on microbial production of various nucleosides is summarized, focusing on the strategies applied to optimize their synthesis such as feedback inhibition relief, enzyme engineering, and dynamic control. The review finishes with a discussion of the challenges and opportunities for efficient synthesis of nucleosides and their derivatives.