Characterization of plasmalogen production in facultative anaerobic bacteria and aerobic synthesis in recombinant <i>Escherichia coli</i> expressing anaerobic bacterium-derived plasmalogen synthase genes

Plasmalogens are essential glycerophospholipids with crucial physiological functions, including membrane stabilization and antioxidant activity. Recently, supplements that support brain function have gained considerable attention but are expensive due to their extraction from animal tissues and marine sources. In this study, we identified facultative anaerobic bacteria as a cost-effective source for plasmalogen production, offering an accessible strategy to introduce plasmalogens into the diet. Additionally, introducing plasmalogen biosynthetic genes into <i>Escherichia coli</i> presents a promising approach for large-scale, efficient plasmalogen production. Notably, for the first time, we achieved aerobic plasmalogen production using recombinant <i>E. coli</i> harboring plasmalogen biosynthetic genes from <i>Lactococcus cremoris</i>. We hypothesize that the enhanced oxygen tolerance of <i>L. cremoris</i> plasmalogen synthase, potentially due to a protective mechanism that prevents oxidative degradation of the [4Fe-4S] cluster, enhances this aerobic production.