Enhanced production of ergothioneine in Aspergillus oryzae
Lihong V. Wang, Xueqin Tian, Pinghong Xue, Yunhong Deng, Rui Gao, Zhihong Hu
Abstract
Ergothioneine (EGT) is a sulfur-containing amino acid derivative with unique antioxidant properties, and was first identified in Claviceps purpurea in 1909 (Han et al. 2021 ). Most plants and animals, including humans, cannot synthesize EGT, being mainly obtained from the diet (Pochini et al. 2019 ; Tschirka et al. 2018 ) and accumulates in metabolically active tissues, such as the liver, kidneys, and intestines (Tang et al. 2018 ). Through specific transporters, EGT can be delivered to sites of oxidative damage, reducing cellular oxidative stress (Deiana et al. 2004 ; Halliwell et al. 2018 ). In recent years, EGT has been classified as a “longevity vitamin” (Wijesekara and Xu 2024 ), highlighting its significance in human physiology. Previous studies have suggested its potential as a therapeutic agent for neurodegenerative disorders, demonstrating its ability to enhance hippocampal neurogenesis and mitigate age-related brain damage (Katsube et al. 2024 ; Nakamichi et al. 2016 ). Additionally, EGT exhibits protective effects against chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes (Wu et al. 2021 ). In 2017, EGT has been recognized as a “Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS)” substance (EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies et al. 2017 ) and has become a multifunctional ingredient in nutraceuticals and cosmeceuticals. Its anti-aging properties, particularly in skin barrier repair and collagen synthesis, have also gained attention in recent years (Hseu et al. 2020 ; Liu et al. 2023 ; Tsay et al. 2021 ). However, despite its broad applications, microbial production of EGT remains inefficient (Takusagawa et al. 2019 ; Zhu et al. 2022 ).