5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), a precursor of serotonin, is produced in a microbial host cell. A modified bacterial phenylalanine 4-hydroxylase (P4H) catalyzes the tryptophan 5-hydroxylation reaction. Optionally the host cell includes a cofactor regeneration mechanism, allowing continuous production of 5-HTP without supplementation of exogenous cofactors.

Provided herein are biocatalysts and systems thereof for pterin-dependent enzymes and pathways and methods of making and using the same.

The present invention relates to the field of the production of phenylpropanoid compounds, especially that of genetically modified strains for the production of phenylpropanoid compounds. In particular, the invention relates to a genetically modified strain of Pseudomonas putida comprising a mutated AroF-I gene encoding 3-deoxy-D-arabino-heptulosonate-7-phosphate (DAHP), and to the use thereof for the synthesis of phenylpropanoid compounds, in particular coumaric acid or frambinone.