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Updated: Jul 18, 2026
07:59
A Customizable Approach for the Enzymatic Production and Purification of Diterpenoid Natural Products
Published on: October 4, 2019
Monoterpenoid biosynthesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Marilyne Oswald1, Marc Fischer, Nicole Dirninger
1UMR Santé de la Vigne et Qualité du Vin, Université Louis Pasteur Strasbourg, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, Colmar, France.
FEMS Yeast Research
|November 14, 2006
Summary
This study demonstrates that engineered yeast can efficiently produce geraniol, a valuable plant monoterpenoid. Saccharomyces cerevisiae offers a promising alternative for scalable fermentative production of this important compound.
Area of Science:
- Metabolic Engineering
- Synthetic Biology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Plant monoterpenoids are valuable secondary metabolites with applications in medicine and cosmetics.
- Low natural abundance and purification challenges necessitate alternative production methods.
- Geranyl diphosphate (GDP) is the precursor to monoterpenoids, and in yeast, it's an intermediate in farnesyl diphosphate (FPP) synthesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential of Saccharomyces cerevisiae for engineered monoterpenoid production.
- To explore the use of Ocimum basilicum geraniol synthase in yeast for geraniol synthesis.
- To optimize geraniol production by manipulating yeast metabolic pathways.
Main Methods:
- Expression of Ocimum basilicum geraniol synthase in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
- Utilizing yeast mutants deficient in farnesyl diphosphate synthase (FPPS).
- Analysis of geraniol and linalool excretion and impact on the ergosterol pathway.
Main Results:
- Successful and specific excretion of geraniol into the growth medium by engineered yeast.
- Yeast mutants defective in FPPS showed increased geraniol and linalool excretion.
- Geraniol synthase expression influenced the ergosterol pathway in a strain-dependent manner.
Conclusions:
- Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a viable host for engineered geraniol production.
- Genetic modification of yeast, including FPPS deficiency, can enhance monoterpenoid yields.
- Further research is needed to fully understand and optimize the interplay between geraniol synthesis and host metabolism.
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