Effect of POX3 gene disruption using self-cloning CRF1 cassette in Yarrowia lipolytica on the γ-decalactone production

Transcription factors enhancing synthesis of recombinant proteins and resistance to stress in Yarrowia lipolytica

Resistance to environmental stress and synthesis of recombinant proteins (r-Prots) are both complex, strongly interconnected biological traits relying on orchestrated contribution of multiple genes. This, in turn, makes their engineering a challenging task. One of the possible strategies is to modify the operation of transcription factors (TFs) associated with these complex traits. The aim of this study was to examine the potential implications of selected five TFs (HSF1-YALI0E13948g, GZF1-YALI0D20482g, CRF1-YALI0B08206g, SKN7-YALI0D14520g, and YAP-like-YALI0D07744g) in stress resistance and/or r-Prot synthesis in Yarrowia lipolytica. The selected TFs were over-expressed or deleted (OE/KO) in a host strain synthesizing a reporter r-Prot. The strains were subjected to phenotype screening under different environmental conditions (pH, oxygen availability, temperature, and osmolality), and the obtained data processing was assisted by mathematical modeling. The results demonstrated that growth and the r-Prot yields under specific conditions can be significantly increased or decreased due to the TFs' engineering. Environmental factors "awakening" individual TFs were indicated, and their contribution was mathematically described. For example, OE of Yap-like TF was proven to alleviate growth retardation under high pH, while Gzf1 and Hsf1 were shown to serve as universal enhancers of r-Prot production in Y. lipolytica. On the other hand, KO of SKN7 and HSF1 disabled growth under hyperosmotic stress. This research demonstrates the usefulness of the TFs engineering approach in the manipulation of complex traits and evidences newly identified functions of the studied TFs. KEY POINTS: • Function and implication in complex traits of 5 TFs in Y. lipolytica were studied. • Gzf1 and Hsf1 are the universal r-Prots synthesis enhancers in Y. lipolytica. • Yap-like TF's activity is pH-dependent; Skn7 and Hsf1 act in osmostress response.

Metabolic and Process Engineering for Producing the Peach-Like Aroma Compound γ-Decalactone in Yarrowia lipolytica

Due to its strong and unique peach-like aroma, γ-decalactone is widely used in dairy products and other foods or beverages. The oleaginous yeast Yarrowia lipolytica, which is generally regarded as safe, has shown great potential in the production of this flavor compound. Recently, the development of metabolic and process engineering has enabled the application of Y. lipolytica for the production of γ-decalactone. This Review summarizes the relevant biosynthesis and degradation pathways of Y. lipolytica, after which the related metabolic engineering strategies to increase the accumulation of γ-decalactone are summarized. In addition, the factors affecting γ-decalactone accumulation in Y. lipolytica are introduced, and corresponding process optimization strategies are discussed. Finally, the current research needs are analyzed to search for remaining challenges and future directions in this field.

Attempt to Develop an Effective Method for the Separation of Gamma-Decalactone from Biotransformation Medium

Gamma-decalactone (GDL) is a fragrance compound obtained in the process of β-oxidation of ricinoleic acid, which is derived from the hydrolysis of castor oil. The biotechnological method of the synthesis of this lactone has been improved for over two decades, but the vast majority of research results have been based only on determining the concentration of the lactone by chromatographic methods without separating it from the biotransformation medium. In this study, we attempted to separate GDL from the medium in which the lactone was synthesized by Yarrowia lipolytica from castor oil. The effectiveness of liquid–liquid extraction, hydrodistillation, and adsorption on the porous materials (zeolite, vermiculite and resin Amberlite XAD-4) was compared. The influence of the solvent on the efficiency of GDL extraction, the influence of the acidity of the medium on the amount of GDL in the distillate, and the level of lactone adsorption on the above-mentioned adsorbents were compared by calculating the initial adsorption rate. The adsorption isotherm was determined for the most effective adsorbent. Among the five solvents tested, the most effective was diethyl ether, used at the ratio of 1:1. The extraction was characterized by higher efficiency than hydrodistillation; the difference in GDL determinations by these two methods ranged from 12.8 to 22%. The purity of the distillates was much higher than that of the extracts at 88.0 ± 3.4% compared to 53.0 ± 1.8%. The acidification of the biotransformation medium increased the concentration of the lactone in both the reaction mixture and the distillate. GDL was most efficiently adsorbed on Amberlite XAD-4 resin, for which the lactone isotherm adsorption was linear. The amount of lactone adsorbed on Amberlite XAD-4 within 1 h was approx. 80% (2.45 g), of which 1.96 g was then desorbed with ethanol. In the context of industrial applications, adsorption of GDL on Amberlite XAD-4 seems to be the most appropriate method due to material costs, the ease of the process, and low environmental burden.

Biotechnological production of γ-decalactone, a peach like aroma, by Yarrowia lipolytica

The request for new flavourings increases every year. Consumer perception that everything natural is better is causing an increase demand for natural aroma additives. Biotechnology has become a way to get natural products. γ-Decalactone is a peach-like aroma widely used in dairy products, beverages and others food industries. In more recent years, more and more studies and industrial processes were endorsed to cost-effect this compound production. One of the best-known methods to produce γ-decalactone is from ricinoleic acid catalyzed by Yarrowia lipolytica, a generally regarded as safe status yeast. As yet, several factors affecting γ-decalactone production remain to be fully understood and optimized. In this review, we focus on the aromatic compound γ-decalactone and its production by Y. lipolytica. The metabolic pathway of lactone production and degradation are addressed. Critical analysis of novel strategies of bioprocess engineering, metabolic and genetic engineering and other strategies for the enhancement of the aroma productivity are presented.

Self-cloning significantly enhances the production of catalase in Bacillus subtilis WSHDZ-01

The katA gene that encodes catalase (CAT) in Bacillus subtilis WSHDZ-01 was overexpressed in B. subtilis WB600 and B. subtilis WSHDZ-01. The CAT yield in both transformed strains was significantly improved compared to that in the wild-type WSHDZ-01 in shake flask culture. When cultured in a 3-L stirred tank reactor (STR), the recombinant CAT activity in B. subtilis WSHDZ-01 could be improved by 419 %, reaching up to 39,117 U/mL and was 8,149.4 U/mg dry cell weight, which is the highest activity reported in Bacillus sp. However, the recombinant CAT in B. subtilis WB600 cultured in a 3-L STR was not significantly improved by any of the common means for process optimization, and the highest CAT activity was 3,673.5 U/mg dry cell weight. The results suggest that self-cloning of the complete expression cassette in the original strain is a reasonable strategy to improve the yield of wild-type enzymes.