Microcystin Terminator

Large quantities of microcystins can be produced by cyanobacteria during harmful algal blooms. This group 2B carcinogen has the potential to trigger liver failure or cancer, posing a severe threat to both ecological stability and public health. An efficient degradation method is of urgent need.

Our project utilizes the mlrA gene in natural microcystin degraders to linearize the toxin and greatly reduce its harm. By constructing an extracellular enzyme display system, we eliminate the step of toxin uptake into the cell, thus simplifying the process. Our bacteria can efficiently degrade environmentally relevant concentrations of microcystins while causing no negative influence on cyanobacteria’s metabolism, making them ideal for implementation in both freshwater bioremediation and algae technology.