The enzyme, used for diagnostic assays of cholesterol in blood, is produced by Burkholderia stabilis from which it is secreted. By combining a novel constitutive promoter and functional modification of the host using genomic and expression control information, the company succeeded in constructing a Burkholderia stabilis smart cell with a cholesterol esterase production capacity more than 30 times higher than that of the wild-type strain. The project was supported by METI’s project house NEDO under the “smart cell programme”.
NEDO news release, February 25, 2021
Asahi Kasei news release, February 25, 2021
25-2 Asahi Kasei Pharma achieves high-yield production of diagnostic enzyme cholesterol esterase using “smart cell” concepts