Multi-Omics Analysis Reveals 1-Propanol-Induced Pentadecanoic Acid Biosynthesis in Yarrowia lipolytica

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Microbial Fermentation
• Metabolic Engineering

Background:

• Pentadecanoic acid (C15:0), an odd-chain fatty acid (OCFA), offers health benefits and is primarily produced via microbial fermentation.
• Optimizing C15:0 production is crucial for its wider application in health and nutrition.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the efficacy of different alcohols as precursors for enhancing C15:0 production in Yarrowia lipolytica.
• To determine the optimal concentration of the most effective alcohol precursor.
• To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying enhanced C15:0 synthesis using transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses.

Main Methods:

• Screening of various alcohols for their impact on C15:0 production in Yarrowia lipolytica CICC1778.
• Optimization of 1-propanol concentration for maximal C15:0 yield.
• Integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses to identify key genes and metabolites involved in the production pathway.

Main Results:

• 1-propanol was identified as the most effective alcohol precursor, significantly increasing C15:0 production.
• Supplementation with 0.5% 1-propanol resulted in a 794.7% increase in C15:0 production (76.68 mg/L) without affecting total lipid content.
• Integrated omics data revealed upregulation of genes and metabolites involved in propionyl-CoA metabolism and branched-chain amino acid degradation.

Conclusions:

• Supplementation with 0.5% 1-propanol is a highly effective strategy for enhancing C15:0 production in Yarrowia lipolytica.
• 1-propanol enhances C15:0 synthesis by promoting the expansion of the propionyl-CoA pool through dehydrogenation-oxidation and branched-chain amino acid degradation.
• This study provides valuable insights into the metabolic regulation of OCFA production in Yarrowia lipolytica.