The severe acute and chronic developmental and neurological impacts of PKU seen in infants and adults are due to the presence of high concentrations of phenylalanine (Phe) in the blood. In pregnant mothers with PKU, high Phe levels significantly increase the risk of miscarriage or severe developmental disorders in the growing fetus. The adverse effects of PKU can be alleviated by lowering systemic levels of Phe, and various interventions (pharmacological, enzymatic, and diet-related) have been attempted with some success. This work is based on that hypothesis that highly active enzymes delivered by probiotic bacteria that utilize Phe as substrate can re- direct its flux away from the apical amino acid transporters in the gut and thus minimize Phe absorption in the gut. The long-term goal of this work is to develop this Altered Probiotic Therapy (APT) approach for the treatment of PKU. The objective of this proposal is to engineer the activity of a probiotic organism to deliver therapeutic Phenylalanine Ammonia Lyase (PAL) enzyme to the gut and to enhance residence time for efficient Phe depletion. The APT approach can provide a novel and holistic approach to treating the various Phe-related metabolic disorders including PKU, maternal PKU, and hyperphenylalaninemia (HPA).

Public Health Relevance

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a collective name for a family of potentially fatal genetic metabolic disorders for which there are few treatment options. The goal of this R03 proposal is to take the first steps in developing a technique called Altered Probiotic Therapy (APT) where a probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri is engineered as a therapeutic microbe to treat PKU. We will identify, characterize, and engineer factors that affect the efficiency of the microbial system in depleting levels of dietary phenylalanine that can exacerbate the pathologies of PKU.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD)
Type
Small Research Grants (R03)
Project #
1R03HD090444-01
Application #
9227238
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1)
Program Officer
Krotoski, Danuta
Project Start
2017-08-18
Project End
2019-07-31
Budget Start
2017-08-18
Budget End
2018-07-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2017
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Tufts University
Department
Engineering (All Types)
Type
Biomed Engr/Col Engr/Engr Sta
DUNS #
073134835
City
Boston
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02111