De novo synthesis of a sunscreen compound in vertebrates
Andrew R Osborn,
Khaled H Almabruk,
Garrett Holzwarth,
Shumpei Asamizu,
Jane LaDu,
Kelsey M Kean,
P Andrew Karplus,
Robert L Tanguay,
Alan T Bakalinsky,
Taifo Mahmud
Affiliations
Andrew R Osborn
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, United States
Khaled H Almabruk
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, United States
Garrett Holzwarth
Department of Food Science and Technology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, United States; Department of Microbiology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, United States
Shumpei Asamizu
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, United States
Jane LaDu
Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, United States
Kelsey M Kean
Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, United States
P Andrew Karplus
Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, United States
Robert L Tanguay
Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, United States
Alan T Bakalinsky
Department of Food Science and Technology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, United States
Ultraviolet-protective compounds, such as mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) and related gadusols produced by some bacteria, fungi, algae, and marine invertebrates, are critical for the survival of reef-building corals and other marine organisms exposed to high-solar irradiance. These compounds have also been found in marine fish, where their accumulation is thought to be of dietary or symbiont origin. In this study, we report the unexpected discovery that fish can synthesize gadusol de novo and that the analogous pathways are also present in amphibians, reptiles, and birds. Furthermore, we demonstrate that engineered yeast containing the fish genes can produce and secrete gadusol. The discovery of the gadusol pathway in vertebrates provides a platform for understanding its role in these animals, and the possibility of engineering yeast to efficiently produce a natural sunscreen and antioxidant presents an avenue for its large-scale production for possible use in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.
