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Production of cycloastragenol in metabolically engineered yeast
Jingxian Zhang1, Peng Xu2, Yongjun Wei1,2,3
1School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Antiviral Drugs, Pingyuan Laboratory, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China.
Engineering Microbiology
|April 15, 2026
Summary
This study reports the first de novo biosynthesis of cycloastragenol in yeast. Engineered yeast produced 1.04 mg/L cycloastragenol, offering a sustainable alternative for producing this valuable medicinal compound.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Metabolic Engineering
- Synthetic Biology
Background:
- Cycloastragenol is a high-value triterpenoid from *Astragalus membranaceus*.
- Traditional extraction and synthesis methods are costly.
- A sustainable biosynthetic route is needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish the first de novo biosynthesis of cycloastragenol in yeast.
- To engineer yeast for the production of value-added medicinal molecules.
Main Methods:
- Reconstitution of the mevalonate pathway in yeast peroxisomes.
- Engineering yeast with heterologous enzymes for cycloastragenol production.
Main Results:
- Engineered yeast produced 656.55 mg/L squalene.
- Engineered yeast achieved a cycloastragenol yield of 1.04 mg/L.
Conclusions:
- Yeast can be engineered for the de novo biosynthesis of cycloastragenol.
- This study demonstrates the potential of yeast for producing valuable medicinal compounds.
