ABSTRACT
L-homoserine and its derivatives (O-succinyl-L-homoserine and O-acetyl-L-homoserine) are precursors for the biosynthesis of L-methionine, and various C4 compounds (isobutanol, γ-butyrolactone, 1, 4-butanediol, 2, 4-dihydroxybutyric acid) and L-phosphinothricin. Therefore, the fermentative production of L-homoserine and its derivatives became the research hotspot in recent years. However, the low fermentation yield and conversion rate, and the unclear regulation mechanism for the biosynthesis of L-homoserine and its derivatives, hamper the development of an efficient production process for L-homoserine and its derivatives. This review summarized the advances in the biosynthesis of L-homoserine and its derivatives by metabolic engineering of Escherichia coli from the aspects of substrate uptake, redirection of carbon flow at the key nodes, recycle of NADPH and export of target products. This review may facilitate subsequent metabolic engineering and biotechnological production of L-homoserine and its derivatives.