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Updated: Feb 26, 2026

Genetic Engineering of an Unconventional Yeast for Renewable Biofuel and Biochemical Production

Genetic Engineering of an Unconventional Yeast for Renewable Biofuel and Biochemical Production

Published on: September 20, 2016

Engineering yeasts as platform organisms for cannabinoid biosynthesis.

Bastian Zirpel¹, Friederike Degenhardt¹, Chantale Martin¹

¹Department of Technical Biochemistry, TU Dortmund University, Emil-Figge Str. 66, 44227 Dortmund, Germany.

Journal of Biotechnology

|July 12, 2017

Summary

Researchers engineered yeast to produce Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), a valuable cannabinoid. This breakthrough paves the way for sustainable, large-scale biosynthesis of cannabinoids using bio-manufacturing platforms.

Keywords:

CBGA Komagataella phaffii NphB Saccharomyces cerevisiae THCA THCA synthase

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A Customizable Approach for the Enzymatic Production and Purification of Diterpenoid Natural Products

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Published on: October 4, 2019

Area of Science:

Synthetic Biology
Biotechnology
Natural Product Biosynthesis

Background:

Cannabinoids, including Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), are plant-derived compounds with significant therapeutic research interest.
The discovery of the endocannabinoid system has spurred research into the physiological functions and therapeutic potential of cannabinoids.

Purpose of the Study:

To reconstitute the final biosynthetic pathway of THCA in yeast.
To engineer a sustainable yeast bio-manufacturing platform for cannabinoid production.

Main Methods:

Reconstitution of the cannabinoid pathway using a bacterial prenyltransferase (NphB) and THCA synthase in yeast.
Expression and functional analysis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Komagataella phaffii.
Optimization of enzyme expression via genomic multi-copy integrations in K. phaffii.

Main Results:

Simultaneous expression of NphB and THCA synthase was achieved in both yeast species.
While S. cerevisiae showed insufficient activity, K. phaffii successfully synthesized THCA from olivetolic acid and geranyl diphosphate.
NphB also catalyzed an O-prenylation, producing 2-O-geranyl olivetolic acid.

Conclusions:

Successful THCA biosynthesis in K. phaffii demonstrates the feasibility of yeast as a bio-manufacturing platform for cannabinoids.
This study represents a significant advancement towards the total biosynthesis of valuable cannabinoids and their derivatives.
The engineered yeast platform offers potential for sustainable and secure cannabinoid production.