Natural polyamines, such as spermidine and spermine, exert strong anti-inflammatory effects, but their therapeutic benefits are limited by rapid absorption in the small intestine, resulting in low colonic availability. In this study, engineered Citrobacter freundii overexpressing ppk1 (CPP) could significantly enhance both intracellular polyamine synthesis and polyphosphates (PolyP) accumulation. Under a two-step cultivation process, the engineered strain produced substantial amounts of polyamines, including spermidine (145.14 ± 5.11 mg/g) and spermine (175.31 ± 4.2 mg/g). CPP responds to environmental stress by importing large amounts of phosphate for PolyP synthesis. This process further promotes polyamine production, which binds to PolyP to neutralize intracellular charge. The resulting polyamine-polyphosphate granules (PPGs) enhance both binding stability and slow-release properties in vivo. Notably, the oral administration of PPGs increased colonic polyamine levels, alleviated DSS-induced colitis, reduced inflammatory cytokines, and restored gut microbiota balance. Overall, biosynthesized PPGs represent a highly promising material for mitigating colitis.
Abstract
Journal Article
eng
41660257
Fan, Zihao, et al. "Biosynthesis of Polyamine-polyphosphate Granules for Colitis Alleviation." IScience, vol. 29, no. 2, 2026, p. 114679.
Fan Z, Zhang X, Ge X, et al. Biosynthesis of polyamine-polyphosphate granules for colitis alleviation. iScience. 2026;29(2):114679.
Fan, Z., Zhang, X., Ge, X., Zhu, L., Zhu, M., & Yang, L. (2026). Biosynthesis of polyamine-polyphosphate granules for colitis alleviation. IScience, 29(2), 114679. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2026.114679
Fan Z, et al. Biosynthesis of Polyamine-polyphosphate Granules for Colitis Alleviation. iScience. 2026 Feb 20;29(2):114679. PubMed PMID: 41660257.
* Article titles in AMA citation format should be in sentence-case
TY - JOUR
T1 - Biosynthesis of polyamine-polyphosphate granules for colitis alleviation.
AU - Fan,Zihao,
AU - Zhang,Xuena,
AU - Ge,Xiaotong,
AU - Zhu,Lei,
AU - Zhu,Minsheng,
AU - Yang,Liuyan,
Y1 - 2026/01/12/
PY - 2025/09/28/received
PY - 2025/11/13/revised
PY - 2026/01/08/accepted
PY - 2026/2/9/medline
PY - 2026/2/9/pubmed
PY - 2026/2/9/entrez
KW - Biological sciences
KW - Biomaterials
KW - Biosynthesis
SP - 114679
EP - 114679
JF - iScience
JO - iScience
VL - 29
IS - 2
N2 - Natural polyamines, such as spermidine and spermine, exert strong anti-inflammatory effects, but their therapeutic benefits are limited by rapid absorption in the small intestine, resulting in low colonic availability. In this study, engineered Citrobacter freundii overexpressing ppk1 (CPP) could significantly enhance both intracellular polyamine synthesis and polyphosphates (PolyP) accumulation. Under a two-step cultivation process, the engineered strain produced substantial amounts of polyamines, including spermidine (145.14 ± 5.11 mg/g) and spermine (175.31 ± 4.2 mg/g). CPP responds to environmental stress by importing large amounts of phosphate for PolyP synthesis. This process further promotes polyamine production, which binds to PolyP to neutralize intracellular charge. The resulting polyamine-polyphosphate granules (PPGs) enhance both binding stability and slow-release properties in vivo. Notably, the oral administration of PPGs increased colonic polyamine levels, alleviated DSS-induced colitis, reduced inflammatory cytokines, and restored gut microbiota balance. Overall, biosynthesized PPGs represent a highly promising material for mitigating colitis.
SN - 2589-0042
UR - https://www.unboundmedicine.com/prime/citation/41660257/Biosynthesis_of_polyamine-polyphosphate_granules_for_colitis_alleviation.
DB - PRIME
DP - Unbound Medicine
ER -
