Biotechnology Bulletin ›› 2024, Vol. 40 ›› Issue (1): 100-112.doi: 10.13560/j.cnki.biotech.bull.1985.2023-0509

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Structure and Biosynthesis of Surfactin as well as Its Role in Biological Control

WANG Jun-fang(), HUANG Qiu-bin, ZHANG Piao-dan, ZHANG Peng-pai()   

  1. College of Life Science, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004
  • Received:2023-05-30 Online:2024-01-26 Published:2024-02-06
  • Contact: ZHANG Peng-pai E-mail:jfw188@163.com;bio_apai@163.com

Abstract:

As a lipopeptide produced by various strains of Bacillus spp., surfactin is composed of a cyclo-heptapeptide head group connected to β-hydroxy fatty acids with a chain length of 12 to 17 carbon atoms by endosomal bonds. It is a very powerful biosurfactant and has significant biological functions. In this paper, we reviewed the structure, biosynthesis model and the role of surfactin lipopeptides in biological control of plant diseases. Surfactin is synthesized by non-ribosomal peptide synthetases, which endows the structural diversity of surfactin family members. Previous studies found that the action mechanism of surfactin lipopeptides in biological control of plant disease mainly are in four ways. 1)It caused damage to the cell membrane of pathogen, resulting in its cell membrane rupture or osmotic pressure imbalance. 2)It inhibited the reproduction of pathogen. 3)It induced systemic resistance(ISR)in plants. 4)It promoted the colonization of biocontrol strains or the formation of their biofilms. The current information about surfactin using genetic engineering techniques is also highlighted to guide the biosynthesis of surfactin and to develop new derivatives. Surfactin is rich in physical and chemical properties due to its high structural diversity, which can be associated with a variety of biological activities and may have a wider range of applications in different fields. With the increasingly in-depth research on the biosynthesis of surfactin, more new lipopeptides with high performance and wide application will be developed, which will provide the basis for further research and biocontrol application of surfactin.

Key words: surfactin, biosurfactant, biological control, cyclic lipopeptide, biosynthesis, structure, induction of systemic resistance