Metabolic regulation of compatible solutes ectoine and 5-hydroxyectoine

Abstract:

Ectoine and its derivative 5-hydroxyectoine (5-HE) are compatible solutes synthesized intracellularly by halophiles in response to high salinity/osmolarity, heat, freezing, and dryness extremes. They have drawn a lot of attention lately due to their protective effects on maintaining cell survival, membrane integrity, as well as protein and DNA functionality. This article comprehensively reviews the regulatory mechanisms of intracellular biosynthesis and catabolism of ectoine and 5-HE in different types of microorganisms, and summarizes the latest research progress in the regulation of extracellular uptake and transport systems of ectoine and 5-HE. This review may provide a certain theoretical reference for the subsequent optimization of the production and efficient accumulating strategies of ectoine and 5-HE.