Implementation of a Quorum-Sensing System for Highly Efficient Biosynthesis of Lacto-N-neotetraose in Engineered Escherichia coli MG1655

Lacto-N-neotetraose (LNnT), a prominent neutral human milk oligosaccharide (HMO), serves as a pivotal structural element in complex HMO biosynthesis. Given its promising health effects for infants, the biosynthesis of LNnT is garnering greater interest. Using a previously engineered strain as a chassis, a highly effective LNnT producer was constructed. First, LNnT synthesis in Escherichia coli MG1655 was achieved by introducing β1,3-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase LgtA and β1,4-galactosyltransferase CpsIaJ, coupled with the optimization of enzyme expression levels using various promoters. Subsequently, ugd underwent disruption, and the galE gene was enhanced by replacing its promoter with PJ23119 or Ptac. Then, a lux-type quorum sensing (QS) system was applied to achieve varied metabolic regulation. Additionally, systematic optimization of the QS promoters was conducted to further improve the LNnT titer in the shake flask. Finally, the extracellular titer of LNnT was 20.33 g/L, accompanied by a productivity of 0.41 g/L/h.