As an essential amino acid, l-tryptophan is widely used in food, feed and medicine sectors. Nowadays, microbial l-tryptophan production suffers from low productivity and yield. Here we construct a chassis E. coli TRP3 producing 11.80 g/L l-tryptophan, which was generated by knocking out the l-tryptophan operon repressor protein (trpR) and the l-tryptophan attenuator (trpL), and introducing the feedback-resistant mutant aroG^fbr. On this basis, the l-tryptophan biosynthesis pathway was divided into three modules, including the central metabolic pathway module, the shikimic acid pathway to chorismate module and the chorismate to tryptophan module. Then we used promoter engineering approach to balance the three modules and obtained an engineered E. coli TRP9. After fed-batch cultures in a 5 L fermentor, tryptophan titer reached to 36.08 g/L, with a yield of 18.55%, which reached 81.7% of the maximum theoretical yield. The tryptophan producing strain with high yield laid a good foundation for large-scale production of tryptophan.
Escherichia coli/metabolism* ; Tryptophan ; Metabolic Engineering ; Bioreactors ; Metabolic Networks and Pathways

Sepsis is a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by dysregulated host responses to infection. Despite significant advances in anti-infective, immunomodulatory, and organ function support technologies, the precise and targeted management of sepsis remains a challenge due to its high heterogeneity. Studies have identified disturbed tryptophan (TRP) metabolism as a common mechanism in multiple diseases, which is involved in both immune regulation and the development of multi-organ damages. The rise of research on intestinal microflora has further highlighted the critical role of microflora-regulated TRP metabolism in pathogen-host interactions and the "cross-talk" among multi-organs, making it a potential key target for precision medicine in sepsis. This article reviews TRP metabolism, the regulation of TRP metabolism by the intestinal microflora, and the characteristics of TRP metabolism in sepsis, providing clues for further clinical targeting of TRP metabolism for precision medicine in sepsis.
Humans ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/physiology* ; Tryptophan/metabolism* ; Precision Medicine ; Sepsis

OBJECTIVE: To clarify the functional effects of differential expression of ring finger and tryptophan-aspartic acid 2 (RFWD2) on dendritic development and formation of dendritic spines in cerebral cortex neurons of mice. METHODS: Immunofluorescent staining was used to identify the location and global expression profile of RFWD2 in mouse brain and determine the co-localization of RFWD2 with the synaptic proteins in the cortical neurons. We also examined the effects of RFWD2 over-expression (RFWD2-Myc) and RFWD2 knockdown (RFWD2-shRNA) on dendritic development, dendritic spine formation and synaptic function in cultured cortical neurons. RESULTS: RFWD2 is highly expressed in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of mice, and its expression level was positively correlated with the development of cerebral cortex neurons and dendrites. RFWD2 expression was detected on the presynaptic membrane and postsynaptic membrane of the neurons, and its expression levels were positively correlated with the length, number of branches and complexity of the dendrites. In cultured cortical neurons, RFWD2 overexpression significantly lowered the expressions of the synaptic proteins synaptophysin (P < 0.01) and postsynapic density protein 95 (P < 0.01), while RFWD2 knockdown significantly increased their expressions (both P < 0.05). Compared with the control and RFWD2-overexpressing cells, the neurons with RFWD2 knockdown showed significantly reduced number of dendritic spines (both P < 0.05). CONCLUSION RFWD2 can regulate the expression of the synaptic proteins, the development of the dendrites, the formation of the dendritic spines and synaptic function in mouse cerebral cortex neurons through ubiquitination of Pea3 family members and c-Jun, which may serve as potential treatment targets for neurological diseases.
Animals ; Aspartic Acid/metabolism* ; Cerebral Cortex ; Dendritic Spines/metabolism* ; Mice ; Neurons/metabolism* ; Synapses ; Tryptophan/metabolism*

OBJECTIVETo explore the differences of metabolic footprint in the conditioned culture medium of placental explants between early-onset and late-onset severe preeclampsia.

METHODSIn 13 cases of early-onset severe preeclampsia and 14 cases of late-onset severe preeclampsia, the placentas were sampled at the surface of the maternal placenta. High performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) was used to determine the differences in the metabolites in the conditioned culture medium of the placental villous explants cultured in 6% atmospheric O(2) for 96 h. Standard samples were used to establish the tryptophan and kynurenine chromatography library by HPLC-MS to analyze the concentration of tryptophan and kynurenine in the conditioned culture medium.

RESULTSThirty-six metabolites showed statistically significant differences between early-onset and late-onset severe preeclampsia (P<0.05). The concentration of kynurenine was significantly higher in early-onset severe preeclampsia than in late-onset severe preeclampsia (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONEarly-onset and late-onset severe preeclampsia may have different pathogeneses. By detecting the concentration of metabolites, metabolomic strategies provide a new means for predicting the onset time of severe preeclampsia.

Chorionic Villi ; metabolism ; Culture Media, Conditioned ; chemistry ; Female ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Kynurenine ; metabolism ; Ornithine ; metabolism ; Placenta ; metabolism ; Pre-Eclampsia ; metabolism ; Pregnancy ; Tryptophan ; metabolism

Glutaric aciduria type 1 is an inborn error of lysine, hydroxylysine, and tryptophan metabolism caused by deficiency of glutaryl-coenzyme A dehydrogenase. The disease often appears in infancy with encephalopathy episode that results in acute basal ganglia and white matter degeneration. The majority of patients develop a dystonic-dyskinetic syndrome. This reports 6year-old boy who had been done previous gastrostomy due to swallowing difficulty underwent bilateral pallidotomy with intraoperative electromyography(EMG) monitoring for disabling dystonia. Intraoperative EMG was used to assess stimulation thresholds required for capsular responses and muscle tone. Surface EMG electrodes were placed on the face and cricopharyngeal muscles. Exact target were directly modified according to MRI-visualized anatomy. EMG response was consistently seen prior to visual observation of muscle activity. The surgery improved dystonic symptoms without swallowing difficulty.
Basal Ganglia ; Deglutition ; Dystonia* ; Electrodes ; Gastrostomy ; Glutaryl-CoA Dehydrogenase ; Humans ; Hydroxylysine ; Lysine ; Male ; Metabolism ; Muscles ; Pallidotomy* ; Tryptophan

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of exercise on plasma tryptophan (TRP) and free serotonin (f5-HT), whole blood-5-HT (WB-5-HT) and f5-HT/WB-5-HT ratio in Italian Saddle horses. Six clinically healthy Italian Saddle horses were subjected to a 450 meters obstacles course. Blood samples were collected from each horse by jugular venipuncture using vacutainer tubes with K3-EDTA at rest, immediately after exercise, and after 30 min. TRP, f5-HT and WB-5-HT were analyzed by HPLC. Immediately after exercise, statistically significant increases of f5-HT (p<0.001) and WB-5-HT (p<0.001) were observed. After 30 min, f5-HT and WB-5-HT decreased compared to immediately after exercise, but were still significantly higher than rest values (p<0.01 and p<0.05, respectively). A significant linear regression between f5-HT and WB-5-HT was observed during experimental conditions. f5-HT and WB-5-HT modifications after exercise suggest an important role of peripheral serotoninergic markers in response to physical activity. The possible source of extra serotonin detected after show jumping should be clarified by further investigation.
Animals ; Biological Markers/blood ; Female ; Horses/*blood/*metabolism ; Linear Models ; Male ; *Physical Conditioning, Animal/physiology ; Serotonin/*blood ; Tryptophan/blood

Because of the concern about escape of antibiotic- or herbicide-resistant transgenes from transgenic crops, selectable marker genes from plant origin would be an alternative choice for plant transformation. In this study, a feedback-insensitive anthranilate synthase gene ( ASA2 ) cloned from a tobacco cell line was tested for Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of axis tissue of soybean mature embryo, with a tryptophan analogue 5-methyltryptophan (5-MT) as the selective agent. Southern blot analysis of the To transgenic lines confirmed the integration of the ASA2 gene into the soybean genome. Northern blot analysis showed the ASA2 gene was also expressed in the leave tissue, and the free tryptophan content in the leaf tissue of transgenic soybean was about 59% to 123% more than that in the wild type. PCR analysis of the T1 progeny showed that the transgene was inherited in a Mendelian fashion. All these results indicate that this feedback-insensitive ASA2 gene can be used as a selectable marker gene for plant transformation. This work also demonstrated that the ASA2 gene coding for the a-subunits from one plant (tobacco) can interact with the n-subunits of a heterologous plant (soybean) to form an active anthranilate synthase enzyme. The use of this feedback-insensitive gene as a novel selectable marker for plant transformation is also discussed.
Anthranilate Synthase ; genetics ; Feedback, Physiological ; Plants, Genetically Modified ; genetics ; Soybeans ; genetics ; Transformation, Genetic ; Tryptophan ; analogs & derivatives ; metabolism

The present study was designed to investigate the effect Hypericum Perforatum (HP), on behavioral changes, corticosterone, TNF-alpha levels and tryptophan metabolism and disposition in bilateral ovariectomized rats compared to 17alpha -ethinylestradiol. Behavioral analysis by measuring immobility time in forced swimming test and open field test, serum and hippocampal corticosterone and TNF-alpha along with hippocampal kynurenine/tryptophan ratio were determined in mature ovariectomized rats treated orally either by HP at three different doses 125, 250, and 500 mg/kg/day or by 17alpha-ethinylestradiol 30 microg/kg/day for 30 days. Ovariectomized rats showed significant increase in immobility time in the forced swimming test. Along with elevation in serum and hippocampal TNF-alpha and corticosterone levels associated with significant increase in hippocampal kynurenine/tryptophan ratio. Immobility time in the forced swimming test was decreased in rats treated by different doses of HP in a dose dependent manner and 17alpha-ethinylestradiol with no concomitant changes in the open field test. Only Rats treated with HP exhibited significant decrease in the elevated serum and hippocampal TNF-alpha and corticosterone, which couldn't explain the associated insignificant effect on hippocampaus kynurenine/tryptophan ratio in comparison to ovariectomized untreated rats. It is concluded that increased tryptophan metabolism toward kynurenine secondary to elevated corticosterone and TNF-alpha might be one of the pathohphysiological mechanisms that could explain depression like state observed in this rat model. Further, the observed attenuating effect of HP on TNF-alpha and corticosterone could contribute in its antidepressant effect in this animal model by other ways than their effects on tryptophan-kynurenine metabolism pathway.
Animals ; Corticosterone* ; Depression ; Hippocampus* ; Hypericum* ; Kynurenine ; Metabolism ; Models, Animal ; Physical Exertion ; Rats* ; Tryptophan ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha*

Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenases (IDOs) are tryptophan-catabolizing enzymes with immunomodulatory functions. However, the biological role of IDO2 and its relationship with IDO1 are unknown. To assess the relationship between IDO2 and IDO1, we investigated the effects of co-expression of human (h) IDO2 on hIDO1 activity. Cells co-expressing hIDO1 and hIDO2 showed reduced tryptophan metabolic activity compared with those expressing hIDO1 only. In a proteomic analysis, hIDO1-expressing cells exhibited enhanced expression of proteins related to the cell cycle and amino acid metabolism, and decreased expression of proteins related to cell survival. However, cells co-expressing hIDO1 and hIDO2 showed enhanced expression of negative regulators of cell apoptosis compared with those expressing hIDO1 only. Co-expression of hIDO1 and hIDO2 rescued the cell death induced by tryptophan-depletion through hIDO1 activity. Cells expressing only hIDO2 exhibited no marked differences in proteome profiles or cell growth compared with mock-transfectants. Cellular tryptophan metabolic activity and cell death were restored by co-expressing the hIDO2 mutant substituting the histidine 360 residue for alanine. These results demonstrate that hIDO2 plays a novel role as a negative regulator of hIDO1 by competing for heme-binding with hIDO1, and provide information useful for development of therapeutic strategies to control cancer and immunological disorders that target IDO molecules.
Cell Proliferation ; Cell Survival ; Gene Expression ; HEK293 Cells ; Heme/*metabolism ; Humans ; Indoleamine-Pyrrole 2,3,-Dioxygenase/genetics/*metabolism ; Protein Binding ; Tryptophan/*metabolism ; Up-Regulation

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of nitrogen forms on the camptothecin (CPT) content, tryptophan synthase (TSB) and tryptophan decarboxylase (TDC) activities in Camptotheca acuminata seedlings.

METHODThe seedlings of C. acuminata with 6 pairs of leaves were subjected to 5 different NH4(+) -N/NO3(-) -N ratio (0 : 100, 75 : 25, 50 : 50, 25 : 75, 100 : 0) treatments by sand culture in a greenhouse. The CPT content, TSB activity in the young leaves and TDC in the stem barks of the seedlings were determined by HPLC on the 15th, 30th, 45th, 60th and 75th day, respectively.

RESULTThe obvious relationship between CPT content and nitrogen forms was observed. When NH4(+) - N /NO3(-) -N ratio was 25 : 75, CPT accumulation in young leaves displayed the best advantages (the highest value is 5.69 per thousand) and increased in the early 30 days of treatment and then declined. There was no obvious relationship between TSB activity in the young leaves and nitrogen forms. TDC activity in the stem bark was the highest when NH4(+) -N /NO3(-) -N ratio was 25 : 75, and the change of TDC activity paralleled to CPT content in the young leaves.

CONCLUSIONA short-term treatment that NH4(+) -N /NO3(-) -N ratio was 25:75 may gain high CPT content in the young leaves through enhancing the TDC activity in the stem bark of C. acuminata seedlings.

Aromatic-L-Amino-Acid Decarboxylases ; metabolism ; Camptotheca ; drug effects ; enzymology ; metabolism ; Camptothecin ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; metabolism ; Nitrogen ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Plant Leaves ; drug effects ; enzymology ; metabolism ; Seedlings ; drug effects ; enzymology ; metabolism ; Tryptophan Synthase ; metabolism