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Genetically controlled self-aggregation of cell-surface-engineered yeast responding to glucose concentration.
1Laboratory of Applied Biological Chemistry, Department of Synthetic Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Yoshida, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan.
Applied and Environmental Microbiology
|April 25, 2001
Summary
Engineered yeast cells display agglutinins for controlled aggregation, enabling efficient separation from liquids. This genetic control offers industrial applications for yeast cell recovery.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Synthetic Biology
- Microbial Engineering
Background:
- Cell-surface engineering in yeast enables novel functionalities.
- Controlled aggregation of yeast cells is crucial for industrial separation processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To engineer yeast capable of inducible and controllable cell aggregation.
- To develop a system for efficient yeast cell sedimentation independent of mating type and pheromones.
Main Methods:
- Constructed "arming" yeast displaying modified a-agglutinin and alpha-agglutinin.
- Utilized the upstream region of the isocitrate lyase gene (UPR-ICL) from Candida tropicalis as a glucose-repressible promoter.
- Fused genes encoding Aga1p and Aga2p to create modified a-agglutinin.
Main Results:
- Engineered yeast exhibited agglutination and sedimentation in response to low glucose concentrations.
- Yeast grew normally at high glucose concentrations and aggregated dramatically at low glucose levels.
- Sedimentation was confirmed by weighing filtered aggregated cells, demonstrating efficient separation.
Conclusions:
- Genetically controlled yeast aggregation is achievable through engineered agglutinin display.
- This system allows for inducible yeast cell sedimentation, offering potential for industrial applications.
- The developed arming yeast provides a novel tool for efficient separation and recovery in bioprocesses.