Recent Advances in the Biosynthesis of Farnesene Using Metabolic Engineering

Farnesene, as an important sesquiterpene isoprenoid polymer of acetyl-CoA, is a renewable feedstock for diesel fuel, polymers, and cosmetics. It has been widely applied in agriculture, medicine, energy, and other fields. In recent years, farnesene biosynthesis is considered a green and economical approach because of its mild reaction conditions, low environmental pollution, and sustainability. Metabolic engineering has been widely applied to construct cell factories for farnesene biosynthesis. In this paper, the research progress, common problems, and strategies of farnesene biosynthesis are reviewed. They are mainly described from the perspectives of the current status of farnesene biosynthesis in different host cells, optimization of the metabolic pathway for farnesene biosynthesis, and key enzymes for farnesene biosynthesis. Furthermore, the challenges and prospects for future farnesene biosynthesis are discussed.

Overexpression of CLN1, CLN2, or ERG13 increases resistance to adriamycin in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

To elucidate the mechanisms underlying adriamycin resistance, adriamycin resistance-related genes were explored using the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a useful eukaryotic model. The CLN1 and CLN2 genes, encoding G1 cyclin, and the ERG13 gene, encoding 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) synthase, were identified.