One-step integration of multiple genes into the oleaginous yeast Yarrowia lipolytica

Biotechnol Lett. 2014 Dec;36(12):2523-8. doi: 10.1007/s10529-014-1634-y. Epub 2014 Sep 13.

Abstract

Yarrowia lipolytica is an unconventional yeast, and is generally recognized as safe (GRAS). It provides a versatile fermentation platform that is used commercially to produce many added-value products. Here we report a multiple fragment assembly method that allows one-step integration of an entire β-carotene biosynthesis pathway (~11 kb, consisting of four genes) via in vivo homologous recombination into the rDNA locus of the Y. lipolytica chromosome. The highest efficiency was 21%, and the highest production of β-carotene was 2.2 ± 0.3 mg per g dry cell weight. The total procedure was completed in less than one week, as compared to a previously reported sequential gene integration method that required n weeks for n genes. This time-saving method will facilitate synthetic biology, metabolic engineering and functional genomics studies of Y. lipolytica.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biosynthetic Pathways / genetics
  • DNA, Fungal / genetics
  • DNA, Ribosomal / genetics
  • Genetics, Microbial / methods*
  • Homologous Recombination*
  • Metabolic Engineering / methods*
  • Molecular Biology / methods*
  • Time Factors
  • Yarrowia / genetics*
  • beta Carotene / biosynthesis

Substances

  • DNA, Fungal
  • DNA, Ribosomal
  • beta Carotene