title: Advances in Biochemistry and Microbial Production of Squalene and Its Derivatives.
abstract: Squalene is a linear triterpene formed via the MVA or MEP biosynthetic pathway and is widely distributed in bacteria, fungi, algae, plants, and animals. Metabolically, squalene is used not only as a precursor in the synthesis of complex secondary metabolites such as sterols, hormones, and vitamins, but also as a carbon source in aerobic and anaerobic fermentation in microorganisms. Owing to the increasing roles of squalene as an antioxidant, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory agent, the demand for this chemical is highly urgent. As a result, with the exception of traditional methods of the isolation of squalene from animals (shark liver oil) and plants, biotechnological methods using microorganisms as producers have afforded increased yield and productivity, but a reduction in progress. In this paper, we first review the biosynthetic routes of squalene and its typical derivatives, particularly the squalene synthase route. Second, typical biotechnological methods for the enhanced production of squalene using microbial cell factories are summarized and classified. Finally, the outline and discussion of the novel trend in the production of squalene with several updated events to 2015 are presented.
authors.affiliation: Department of BT-Convergent Pharmaceutical Engineering, Institute of Biomolecule Reconstruction, Sun Moon University, Asan 31460, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Gopal Prasad
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Ghimire
authors.affiliation: Center for Molecular Biology, Institute of Research and Development, Duy Tan University, Danang City, Vietnam.
authors.forename: Nguyen Huy
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Thuan
authors.affiliation: Department of BT-Convergent Pharmaceutical Engineering, Institute of Biomolecule Reconstruction, Sun Moon University, Asan 31460, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Niranjan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Koirala
authors.affiliation: Department of BT-Convergent Pharmaceutical Engineering, Institute of Biomolecule Reconstruction, Sun Moon University, Asan 31460, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jae Kyung
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Sohng
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D053898:Biosynthetic Pathways; D005658:Fungi / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D007218:Industrial Microbiology / Q000639:trends*; D013185:Squalene / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D013185:Squalene
keywords: biosynthesis; microbial cell factory; squalene; squalene production; terpenes