Expression and Induction Optimization of Mucor Circinelloides Lipase in Escherichia Coli

Abstract

Microbial lipases serve as versatile biocatalysts for modifying lipid substrates, enabling diverse biotechnological applications spanning food technology, renewable energy production, and pharmaceutical sectors. Genomic analysis of Mucor circinelloides WJ11 revealed multiple lipase-encoding genes, with WJ_23 successfully cloned and heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli. Since the lipase expression was mainly concentrated in the cell pellets, appropriate induction strategies had been investigated to enhance the extracellular production of the lipase. The results showed that when 0.5 mmol/L Isopropyl-1-thio-β-D-Galactopyranoside (IPTG) and 0.8% Triton X-100 were simultaneously added in the later stage of logarithmic growth at 30°C, the peak extracellular lipase activity attained2580 U/L, demonstrating a 6.79-fold increase over the wild strain. This study provided a theoretical basis for further improving the extracellular production of other heterogonous enzymes in E. coli, and it also laid a foundation for the future application of lipase in M. circinelloides.