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Genome Sequence and Analysis of the Flavinogenic Yeast Candida membranifaciens IST 626
Margarida Palma1,2,3, Stephen Mondo4,5, Mariana Pereira1,2
1Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal.
Abstract:
The ascomycetous yeast Candida membranifaciens has been isolated from diverse habitats, including humans, insects, and environmental sources, exhibiting a remarkable ability to use different carbon sources that include pentoses, melibiose, and inulin. In this study, we isolated four C. membranifaciens strains from soil and investigated their potential to overproduce riboflavin. C. membranifaciens IST 626 was found to produce the highest concentrations of riboflavin. The volumetric production of this vitamin was higher when C. membranifaciens IST 626 cells were cultured in a commercial medium without iron and when xylose was the available carbon source compared to the same basal medium with glucose. Supplementation of the growth medium with 2 g/L glycine favored the metabolization of xylose, leading to biomass increase and consequent enhancement of riboflavin volumetric production that reached 120 mg/L after 216 h of cultivation. To gain new insights into the molecular basis of riboflavin production and carbon source utilization in this species, the first annotated genome sequence of C. membranifaciens is reported in this article, as well as the result of a comparative genomic analysis with other relevant yeast species. A total of 5619 genes were predicted to be present in C. membranifaciens IST 626 genome sequence (11.5 Mbp). Among them are genes involved in riboflavin biosynthesis, iron homeostasis, and sugar uptake and metabolism. This work put forward C. membranifaciens IST 626 as a riboflavin overproducer and provides valuable molecular data for future development of superior producing strains capable of using the wide range of carbon sources, which is a characteristic trait of the species.
Insights
This study identifies Candida membranifaciens IST 626 as a high-yield riboflavin producer. Optimized conditions using xylose and glycine significantly enhanced vitamin production, providing a foundation for industrial applications.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Biotechnology
- Genomics
Background:
- *Candida membranifaciens* is an ascomycetous yeast known for its versatile carbon source utilization.
- *C. membranifaciens* has been isolated from various environments, including human, insect, and soil samples.
- The yeast's ability to metabolize diverse sugars like pentoses, melibiose, and inulin presents opportunities for biotechnological applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To isolate and characterize *Candida membranifaciens* strains from soil for riboflavin overproduction.
- To optimize culture conditions for enhanced riboflavin yield.
- To sequence and analyze the genome of *C. membranifaciens* for insights into riboflavin biosynthesis and carbon metabolism.
Main Methods:
- Isolation of *C. membranifaciens* strains from soil samples.
- Cultivation of selected strains in various media, including iron-deficient media with different carbon sources (xylose, glucose).
- Genome sequencing and annotation of *C. membranifaciens* IST 626, followed by comparative genomic analysis.
Main Results:
- *Candida membranifaciens* IST 626 demonstrated the highest riboflavin production among isolated strains.
- Riboflavin yield was significantly higher in iron-deficient medium with xylose as the carbon source compared to glucose.
- Supplementation with glycine (2 g/L) further enhanced riboflavin production to 120 mg/L after 216 hours.
- The first annotated genome sequence of *C. membranifaciens* (11.5 Mbp, 5619 predicted genes) revealed genes involved in riboflavin biosynthesis, iron homeostasis, and sugar metabolism.
Conclusions:
- *Candida membranifaciens* IST 626 is a promising candidate for riboflavin overproduction.
- Optimized conditions, including iron limitation and xylose utilization supplemented with glycine, maximize riboflavin yield.
- The genomic data provides a molecular basis for understanding and improving riboflavin production and carbon source metabolism in this yeast species.
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