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Genetic Engineering of an Unconventional Yeast for Renewable Biofuel and Biochemical Production
Published on: September 20, 2016
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Metabolic engineering a yeast to produce astaxanthin
Yu-Ju Lin1, Jui-Jen Chang2, Hao-Yeh Lin3
1Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, No. 128 Academia Road, Sec. 2, Nankang, Taipei 115, Taiwan; Department of Life Sciences, National Chung Hsing University, No. 250, Kuo Kuang Rd, Taichung 402, Taiwan.
Bioresource Technology
|September 22, 2017
Summary
Researchers engineered Kluyveromyces marxianus to produce astaxanthin (a pigment). Gene modifications significantly boosted astaxanthin yield, reaching 9972µg/g dry weight in the best strain.
Area of Science:
- Microbial Biotechnology
- Metabolic Engineering
- Carotenoid Biosynthesis
Background:
- Kluyveromyces marxianus is a yeast with potential for industrial applications.
- Astaxanthin is a valuable carotenoid with significant antioxidant properties.
- Efficient microbial production of astaxanthin is crucial for commercial viability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To construct a Kluyveromyces marxianus strain for astaxanthin biosynthesis.
- To enhance astaxanthin yield through genetic engineering and optimization.
- To achieve high-level production of 3S, 3'S-astaxanthin in a microbial host.
Main Methods:
- Construction of an astaxanthin-biosynthesis Kluyveromyces marxianus strain (Sm23).
- Repeated genome integration of key astaxanthin biosynthesis genes (Hpchyb and bkt).
- Site-directed mutagenesis of the Hpchyb gene to improve enzyme efficiency and stability.
Main Results:
- The initial Sm23 strain produced 31µg/g dry cell weight (DCW) of astaxanthin.
- Increased copy numbers of Hpchyb and bkt genes led to higher astaxanthin and total carotenoid yields.
- The engineered S3-2 strain achieved a remarkable yield of 9972µg/g DCW of 3S, 3'S-astaxanthin in a 5L fermentor.
Conclusions:
- Genetic engineering strategies, including gene amplification and enzyme modification, are effective for enhancing astaxanthin production in Kluyveromyces marxianus.
- The developed microbial strain holds significant potential for the industrial-scale biosynthesis of astaxanthin.
- Further optimization may lead to even higher yields and broader applications of microbial astaxanthin.
