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Metabolic engineering of Escherichia coli for production of chemicals derived from the shikimate pathway.
Li, Z, Wang, H, Ding, D, Liu, Y, Fang, H, Chang, Z, Chen, T, Zhang, D
Journal of industrial microbiology & biotechnology. 2020;(6-7):525-535
Abstract
The shikimate pathway is indispensable for the biosynthesis of natural products with aromatic moieties. These products have wide current and potential applications in food, cosmetics and medicine, and consequently have great commercial value. However, compounds extracted from various plants or synthesized from petrochemicals no longer satisfy the requirements of contemporary industries. As a result, an increasing number of studies has focused on this pathway to enable the biotechnological manufacture of natural products, especially in E. coli. Furthermore, the development of synthetic biology, systems metabolic engineering and high flux screening techniques has also contributed to improving the biosynthesis of high-value compounds based on the shikimate pathway. Here, we review approaches based on a combination of traditional and new metabolic engineering strategies to increase the metabolic flux of the shikimate pathway. In addition, applications of this optimized pathway to produce aromatic amino acids and a range of natural products is also elaborated. Finally, this review sums up the opportunities and challenges facing this field.
2.
Effect of Cs-4 (Cordyceps sinensis) on exercise performance in healthy older subjects: a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
Chen, S, Li, Z, Krochmal, R, Abrazado, M, Kim, W, Cooper, CB
Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.). 2010;(5):585-90
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to examine the effect of Cs-4 (Cordyceps sinensis) on exercise performance in healthy elderly subjects. DESIGN Twenty (20) healthy elderly (age 50-75 years) subjects were enrolled in this double-blind, placebo-controlled, prospective trial. The subjects were taking either Cs-4 333 mg or placebo capsules 3 times a day for 12 weeks. MEASUREMENT Subjects received baseline screening including physical examination and laboratory tests. Maximal incremental exercise testing was performed on a stationary cycle ergometer using breath-by-breath analysis at baseline and at the completion of the study. RESULTS After receiving Cs-4 for 12 weeks, the metabolic threshold (above which lactate accumulates) increased by 10.5% from 0.83 +/- 0.06 to 0.93 +/- 0.08 L/min (p < 0.02) and the ventilatory threshold (above which unbuffered H(+) stimulates ventilation) increased by 8.5% from 1.25 +/- 0.11 to 1.36 +/- 0.15 L/min. Significant changes in metabolic or ventilatory threshold were not seen for the subjects in the placebo group after 12 weeks, and there were no changes in Vo(2) max in either group. CONCLUSION This pilot study suggests that supplementation with Cs-4 (Cordyceps sinensis) improves exercise performance and might contribute to wellness in healthy older subjects.