Efficient one-pot enzymatic synthesis of trehalose 6-phosphate using GH65 α-glucoside phosphorylases

Abstract

Trehalose 6-phosphate (Tre6P) is an important intermediate for trehalose biosynthesis. Recent researches have revealed that Tre6P is an endogenous signaling molecule that regulates plant development and stress responses. The necessity of Tre6P in physiological studies is expected to be increasing. To achieve the cost-effective production of Tre6P, a novel approach is required. In this study, we utilized trehalose 6-phosphate phosphorylase (TrePP) from Lactococcus lactis to produce Tre6P. In the reverse phosphorolysis by the TrePP, 91.9 mM Tre6P was produced from 100 mM β-glucose 1-phosphate (β-Glc1P) and 100 mM glucose 6-phosphate (Glc6P). The one-pot reaction of TrePP and maltose phosphorylase (MP) enabled production of 65 mM Tre6P from 100 mM maltose, 100 mM Glc6P, and 20 mM inorganic phosphate. Addition of β-phosphoglucomutase to this reaction produced Glc6P from β-Glc1P and thus reduced requirement of Glc6P as a starting material. Within the range of 20–469 mM inorganic phosphate tested, the 54 mM concentration yielded the highest amount of Tre6P (33 mM). Addition of yeast increased the yield because of its glucose consumption. Finally, from 100 mmol maltose and 60 mmol inorganic phosphate, we successfully achieved production of 37.5 mmol Tre6P in a one-pot reaction (100 mL), and 9.4 g Tre6P dipotassium salt was obtained.