Displaying non-natural, functional molecules on yeast surfaces via biotin–streptavidin interaction

Strategic approaches for designing yeast strains as protein secretion and display platforms

Yeast has been established as a versatile platform for expressing functional molecules, owing to its well-characterized biology and extensive genetic modification tools. Compared to prokaryotic systems, yeast possesses advanced cellular mechanisms that ensure accurate protein folding and post-translational modifications. These capabilities are particularly advantageous for the expression of human-derived functional proteins. However, designing yeast strains as an expression platform for proteins requires the integration of molecular and cellular functions. By delving into the complexities of yeast-based expression systems, this review aims to empower researchers with the knowledge to fully exploit yeast as a functional platform to produce a diverse range of proteins. This review includes an exploration of the host strains, gene cassette structures, as well as considerations for maximizing the efficiency of the expression system. Through this in-depth analysis, the review anticipates stimulating further innovation in the field of yeast biotechnology and protein engineering.

A Highly Efficient Indirect P. pastoris Surface Display Method Based on the CL7/Im7 Ultra-High-Affinity System

Cell surface display systems for immobilization of peptides and proteins on the surface of cells have various applications, such as vaccine generation, protein engineering, bio-conversion and bio-adsorption. Though plenty of methods have been established in terms of traditional yeast surface display systems, the development of a universal display method with high efficiency remains a challenge. Here we report an indirect yeast surface display method by anchoring Im7 proteins on the surface of P. pastoris, achieving highly efficient display of target proteins, including fluorescence proteins (sfGFP and mCherry) or enzymes (human Arginase I), with a CL7 fusion tag through the ultra-high-affinity interaction between Im7 and CL7. This indirect P. pastoris surface display approach is highly efficient and provides a robust platform for displaying biomolecules.

From mannan to bioethanol: cell surface co-display of β-mannanase and β-mannosidase on yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

BACKGROUND

Mannans represent the largest hemicellulosic fraction in softwoods and also serve as carbohydrate stores in various plants. However, the utilization of mannans as sustainable resources has been less advanced in sustainable biofuel development. Based on a yeast cell surface-display technology that enables the immobilization of multiple enzymes on the yeast cell walls, we constructed a recombinant Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain that co-displays β-mannanase and β-mannosidase; this strain is expected to facilitate ethanol fermentation using mannan as a biomass source.

RESULTS

Parental yeast S. cerevisiae assimilated mannose and glucose as monomeric sugars, producing ethanol from mannose. We constructed yeast strains that express tethered β-mannanase and β-mannosidase; co-display of the two enzymes on the cell surface was confirmed by immunofluorescence staining and enzyme activity assays. The constructed yeast cells successfully hydrolyzed 1,4-β-d-mannan and produced ethanol by assimilating the resulting mannose without external addition of enzymes. Furthermore, the constructed strain produced ethanol from 1,4-β-d-mannan continually during the third batch of repeated fermentation. Additionally, the constructed strain produced ethanol from ivory nut mannan; ethanol yield was improved by NaOH pretreatment of the substrate.

CONCLUSIONS

We successfully displayed β-mannanase and β-mannosidase on the yeast cell surface. Our results clearly demonstrate the utility of the strain co-displaying β-mannanase and β-mannosidase for ethanol fermentation from mannan biomass. Thus, co-tethering β-mannanase and β-mannosidase on the yeast cell surface provides a powerful platform technology for yeast fermentation toward the production of bioethanol and other biochemicals from lignocellulosic materials containing mannan components.

Cell surface engineering of industrial microorganisms for biorefining applications

In order to decrease carbon emissions and negative environmental impacts of various pollutants, biofuel/biochemical production should be promoted for replacing fossil-based industrial processes. Utilization of abundant lignocellulosic biomass as a feedstock has recently become an attractive option. In this review, we focus on recent efforts of cell surface display using industrial microorganisms such as Escherichia coli and yeast. Cell surface display is used primarily for endowing cellulolytic activity on the host cells, and enables direct fermentation to generate useful fuels and chemicals from lignocellulosic biomass. Cell surface display systems are systematically summarized, and the drawbacks/perspectives as well as successful application of surface display for industrial biotechnology are discussed.

Polyamino acid display on cell surfaces enhances salt and alcohol tolerance of Escherichia coli

Microbes employ cell membranes for reducing exogenous stresses. Polyamino acid display on microbial cell surfaces and their effects on microbial chemical stress tolerance were examined. Growth analysis revealed that displays of polyarginine, polyaspartate and polytryptophan substantially enhanced tolerance of Escherichia coli to NaCl. A titration assay indicated that polyarginine and polyaspartate altered cell surface charges, implying tolerance enhancement via ion atmosphere and/or ionic bond network formations for electrostatic ion repulsion. The enhancement by polytryptophan may have arisen from surface hydrophobicity increase for hydrophobic ion exclusion, because of a strong correlation between hydrophobic characters of amino acids and their effects on tolerance enhancement. The display also enhanced tolerance to other salts and/or alcohols in E. coli and to NaCl in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Thus polyamino acid display has the potential as an approach for conferring chemical stress tolerance on various microbes.