Biotechnological approach towards a highly efficient production of natural prostaglandins

Prostaglandins (PGs) act as potent local hormones in nearly all tissues of the human body and are used for various medical applications. Heterologous expression of PG endoperoxide H-synthase from the alga, Gracilaria vermiculophylla, into E. coli and the application of this strain in biotransformation experiments resulted in a highly efficient conversion of arachidonic acid (ARA) yielding up to 130 mg natural PGs l−1 in a laboratory scale approach. Detailed analyses of the products and production kinetics were performed, confirming a rapid conversion of ARA to PGs.