Metabolic engineering of Yarrowia lipolytica for the production of isoprene

AbstractYarrowia lipolytica has recently emerged as a prominent microbial host for production of terpenoids. Its robust metabolism and growth in wide range of substrates offer several advantages at industrial scale. In the present study, we investigate the metabolic potential ofY. lipolytica to produce isoprene. Sustainable production of isoprene has been attempted through engineering several microbial hosts; however, the engineering studies performed so far are challenged with low titers. Engineering ofY. lipolytica, which have inherent high acetyl-CoA flux could fuel precursors into the biosynthesis of isoprene and thus is an approach that would offer sustainable production opportunities. The present work, therefore, explores this opportunity wherein a codon-optimizedIspS gene (single copy) ofPueraria montana was integrated into theY. lipolytica genome. With no detectable isoprene level during the growth or stationary phase of modified strain, attempts were made to overexpress enzymes from MVA pathway. GC-FID analyses of gas collected during stationary phase revealed that engineered strains were able to produce detectable isoprene only after overexpressingHMGR (ortHMGR). The significant role ofHMGR (tHMGR) in diverting the pathway flux toward DMAPP is thus highlighted in our study. Nevertheless, the final recombinant strains overexpressingHMGR (tHMGR) along withErg13 andIDI showed isoprene titers of ~500  μg/L and yields of ~80 μg/g. Further characterization of the re...
Source: Biotechnology Progress - Category: Biotechnology Authors: Tags: RESEARCH ARTICLE Source Type: research