J. C. Guder, M. Buchhaupt, I. Huth, A. Hannappel, N. Ferreirós, G. Geisslinger, J. Schrader
Prostaglandins (PGs) act as potent local hormones in nearly all tissues of the human body and are used for various medical applications. Heterologous expression of PG endoperoxide H-synthase from the alga, Gracilaria vermiculophylla, into E. coli and the application of this strain in biotransformation experiments resulted in a highly efficient conversion of arachidonic acid (ARA) yielding up to 130 mg natural PGs l−1 in a laboratory scale approach. Detailed analyses of the products and production kinetics were performed, confirming a rapid conversion of ARA to PGs.
