ReviewEngineered Escherichia coli as new source of flavonoids and terpenoids

During the last two decades, the engineered biosynthesis of several natural products by microbial sources has made enormous progresses. Noteworthy, Escherichia coli has been used as microbial power plant for the artificial biosynthesis of different types of molecules for both biological and clinical applications. Among natural products, especially flavonoids and terpenoids are particularly attractive because of the high variety of their biochemical activities including anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-obesity and anti-cancer properties.Here we are reviewing the characteristics of E. coli engineering and its “cell factory” properties to synthesize natural products. This review focuses on the exploitation of E. coli biochemical networking for the specific synthesis of flavonoids and terpenoids.

► Engineered E. coli is an optimal factory for flavonoid and terpenoid biosynthesis. ► Flavonoids and terpenoids are plant-derived products with therapeutic impact. ► Fuctional enzymes for flavonoid and terpenoid synthesis are expressed in E. coli. ► E. coli metabolic engineering may optimize the production of flavonoids and terpenoids.