Role of beta-oxidation enzymes in gamma-decalactone production by the yeast Yarrowia lipolytica.

Some microorganisms can transform methyl ricinoleate into gamma-decalactone, a valuable aroma compound, but yields of the bioconversion are low due to (i) incomplete conversion of ricinoleate (C(18)) to the C(10) precursor of gamma-decalactone, (ii) accumulation of other lactones (3-hydroxy-gamma-decalactone and 2- and 3-decen-4-olide), and (iii) gamma-decalactone reconsumption. We evaluated acyl coenzyme A (acyl-CoA) oxidase activity (encoded by the POX1 through POX5 genes) in Yarrowia lipolytica in lactone accumulation and gamma-decalactone reconsumption in POX mutants. Mutants with no acyl-CoA oxidase activity could not reconsume gamma-decalactone, and mutants with a disruption of pox3, which encodes the short-chain acyl-CoA oxidase, reconsumed it more slowly. 3-Hydroxy-gamma-decalactone accumulation during transformation of methyl ricinoleate suggests that, in wild-type strains, beta-oxidation is controlled by 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase. In mutants with low acyl-CoA oxidase activity, however, the acyl-CoA oxidase controls the beta-oxidation flux. We also identified mutant strains that produced 26 times more gamma-decalactone than the wild-type parents.     

Medium-size droplets of methyl ricinoleate are reduced by cell-surface activity in the gamma-decalactone production by Yarrowia lipolytica

Size of methyl ricinoleate droplets during biotransformation into gamma-decalactone by Yarrowia lipolytica was measured in both homogenized and non-homogenized media. In non-homogenized but shaken medium, droplets had an average volume surface diameter d32 of 2.5 microm whereas it was 0.7 microm in homogenized and shaken medium. But as soon as yeast cells were inoculated, both diameters became similar at about 0.7 microm and did not vary significantly until the end of the culture. The growth of Y. lipolytica in both media was very similar except for the lag phase which was lowered in homogenized medium conditions.     

Involvement of acyl coenzyme A oxidase isozymes in biotransformation of methyl ricinoleate into gamma-decalactone by Yarrowia lipolytica

We reported previously on the function of acyl coenzyme A (acyl-CoA) oxidase isozymes in the yeast Yarrowia lipolytica by investigating strains disrupted in one or several acyl-CoA oxidase-encoding genes (POX1 through POX5) (H. Wang et al., J. Bacteriol. 181:5140-5148, 1999). Here, these mutants were studied for lactone production. Monodisrupted strains produced similar levels of lactone as the wild-type strain (50 mg/liter) except for Deltapox3, which produced 220 mg of gamma-decalactone per liter after 24 h. The Deltapox2 Deltapox3 double-disrupted strain, although slightly affected in growth, produced about 150 mg of lactone per liter, indicating that Aox2p was not essential for the biotransformation. The Deltapox2 Deltapox3 Deltapox5 triple-disrupted strain produced and consumed lactone very slowly. On the contrary, the Deltapox2 Deltapox3 Deltapox4 Deltapox5 multidisrupted strain did not grow or biotransform methyl ricinoleate into gamma-decalactone, demonstrating that Aox4p is essential for the biotransformation.     

Mechanisms underlying the toxicity of lactone aroma compounds towards the producing yeast cells

AIMS: To study the fundamental mechanisms of toxicity of the fruity aroma compound gamma-decalactone, that lead to alterations in cell viability during its biotechnological production by yeast cells; Yarrowia lipolytica that is able to produce high amounts of this metabolite was used here as a model. METHODS AND RESULTS: Lactone concentrations above 150 mg l-1 inhibited cell growth, depolarized the living cells and increased membrane fluidity. Infrared spectroscopic measurements revealed that the introduction of the lactone into model phospholipid bilayers, decreased the phase transition temperature. Moreover, the H+-ATPase activity in membrane preparations was strongly affected by the presence of the lactone. On the other hand, only a slight decrease in the intracellular pH occurred. CONCLUSIONS: We propose that the toxic effects of gamma-decalactone on yeast may be initially linked to a strong interaction of the compound with cell membrane lipids and components. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: These findings may enable the elaboration of strategies to improve yeast cell viability during the process of lactones bioproduction.     

Production of Lactones and Peroxisomal Beta-Oxidation in Yeasts

Abstract

Among aroma compounds interesting for the food industry, lactones may be produced by biotechnological means using yeasts. These microorganisms are able to synthesize lactones de novo or by biotransformation of fatty acids with higher yields. Obtained lactone concentrations are compatible with industrial production, although detailed metabolic pathways have not been completely elucidated. The biotransformation of ricinoleic acid into gamma-decalactone is taken here as an example to better understand the uptake of hydroxy fatty acids by yeasts and the different pathways of fatty acid degradation. The localization of ricinoleic acid beta-oxidation in peroxisomes is demonstrated. Then the regulation of the biotransformation is described, particularly the induction of peroxisome proliferation and peroxisomal beta-oxidation and its regulation at the genome level. The nature of the biotransformation product is then discussed (4-hydroxydecanoic acid or gamma-decalactone), because the localization and the mechanisms of the lactonization are still not properly known. Lactone production may also be limited by the degradation of this aroma compound by the yeasts which produced it. Thus, different possible ways of modification and degradation of gamma-decalactone are described.     

Expression of POX2 gene and disruption of POX3 genes in the industrial Yarrowia lipolytica on the γ-decalactone production

The yeast Yarrowia lipolytica growing on methyl ricinoleate can produce γ-decalactone, the worthy aroma compound, which can exhibit fruity and creamy sensorial notes, and recognized internationally as a safe food additive. Unfortunately, the yield is poor because of lactone degradation by enzyme Aox3 (POX3 gene encoded), which was responsible for continuation of oxidation after C(10) level and lactone reconsumption. In this paper, we chose the industrial Y. lipolytica (CGMCC accession number 2.1405), which is the diploid strain as the starting strain and constructed the recombinant strain Tp-12 by targeting the POX3 locus of the wild type, one copy of POX3 was deleted by CRF1+POX2 insertion. The other recombinant strain Tpp-11, which was a null mutant possessing multiple copies of POX2 and disrupted POX3 genes on two chromosomes, was constructed by inserting XPR2+hpt into the other copy of POX3 of Tp-12. The growth ability of the recombinants was changed after genetic modification in the fermentation medium. The production of γ-decalactone was increased, resulting from blocking β-oxidation at the C(10) Aox level and POX2 overexpression. The recombinant strain Tpp-11 was stable. Because there was no reconsumption of γ-decalactone, the mutant strain could be grown in continuous fermentation of methyl ricinoleate to produce γ-decalactone.     

Impact of surfactants on the biotransformation of methyl ricinoleate into γ-decalactone by Yarrowia lipolytica

Surfactants play a key role in the biotechnological degradation of hydrophobic substrates, however this role is often misunderstood. During the biotransformation of methyl ricinoleate into the aroma compound γ-decalactone by the yeast Yarrowia lipolytica, a direct contact occurs between the surface of the cells and the small droplets of substrate. The impact of a series of surfactants on this process was investigated. Both ionic surfactants tested were toxic towards the yeast. This effect may be linked to a decrease in the cell membrane integrity. The interfacial area of the emulsion varied according to the non-ionic surfactant used, and this factor was correlated with the productivity of the biotransformation. By evaluating the effect of surfactants on the capacity of the cells to adhere to decane (MATH test), it was shown that the adhesion of methyl ricinoleate on yeast surface is not a rate-limiting point for the process.     

Metabolism of ricinoleic acid into gamma-decalactone: beta-oxidation and long chain acyl intermediates of ricinoleic acid in the genus Sporidiobolus sp

In order to study differences in gamma-decalactone production in yeast, four species of Sporidiobolus were cultivated with 5% of methyl ricinoleate as the lactone substrate. In vivo studies showed different time courses of intermediates of ricinoleic acid breakdown between the four species. In vitro studies of the beta-oxidation system were conducted with crude cell extracts of Sporidiobolus spp. and with ricinoleyl-CoA (RCoA) as substrate. The beta-oxidation was detected by measuring acyl-CoA oxidase, 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase activities, and acetyl-CoA production. The time courses of the CoA esters resulting from RCoA breakdown by crude extract of Sporidiobolus spp. permit the proposal of different metabolic models in the yeast. These models explained the differences observed during in vivo studies.     

Fatty acid cellular metabolism and lactone production by the yeast Pichia guilliermondii

Methyl ricinoleate conversion into γ-decalactone by fungi is already widely used by the aromatic industry. It offers an interesting alternative to chemical synthesis by permitting acquisition of a natural label. Peroxisomal β-oxidation has been described as the probable transformation mechanism. This paper provides information about this metabolism and shows the importance of the step catalysed by carnitine octanoyltransferase. After culture of the yeast Pichia guilliermondii on a medium containing methyl ricinoleate as sole carbon source, we confirmed that mitochondrial β-oxidation could not be responsible for the biotransformation. We also observed the effect of chlorpromazine, an inhibitor of carnitine octanoyltransferase, on peroxisomal β-oxidation and therefore on lactone production, and on lipid accumulation by the yeasts. The presence of chlorpromazine caused a reduction in aromatic specific production yield. This reduction was inversely proportional to the amount of chlorpromazine present in the medium. A considerable accumulation of methyl ricinoleate derivatives was also observed. We therefore concluded that the metabolism responsible for the bioconversion was peroxisomal β-oxidation. The effects of chlorpromazine suggested that the entry of fatty acids into the peroxisomes took place in a carnitine-dependent manner. This step might be a limiting step in the metabolism. Received: 26 June 1995/Received revision: 16 November 1995/Accepted: 4 December 1995     

The use of methyl ricinoleate in lactone production by Yarrowia lipolytica: Aspects of bioprocess operation that influence the overall performance

Abstract

Yarrowia lipolytica was used to produce γ-decalactone by the degradation of methyl ricinoleate (MR). A new method for inoculating the biotransformation medium was tested, which avoided the laborious step of washing cells from the growth medium. The consequent cell hydrophobicity increase led to an enhancement of aroma production. In a study of MR concentration in shake flasks, the highest productivity (15 mg L^?1 h^?1) was achieved using 30 g MR L^?1. Lipase and protease activities were induced but no correlation between lipase induction and aroma production was found. The effects of different aeration and agitation rates were studied in bioreactor assays. Productivity was improved to 87 mg L^?1 h^?1, and another compound, 3-hydroxy-γ-decalactone, was detected in large amounts. Dehydration of this lactone produced two decenolides with aroma characteristics. The direct influence of oxygen on the production of both lactones was demonstrated.     

A single-host fermentation process for the production of flavor lactones from non-hydroxylated fatty acids

Lactone flavors with fruity, milky, coconut, and other aromas are widely used in the food and fragrance industries. Lactones are produced by chemical synthesis or by biotransformation of plant-sourced hydroxy fatty acids. We established a novel method to produce flavor lactones from abundant non-hydroxylated fatty acids using yeast cell factories. Oleaginous yeast Yarrowia lipolytica was engineered to perform hydroxylation of fatty acids and chain-shortening via β-oxidation to preferentially twelve or ten carbons. The strains could produce γ-dodecalactone from oleic acid and δ-decalactone from linoleic acid. Through metabolic engineering, the titer was improved 4-fold, and the final strain produced 282 mg/L γ-dodecalactone in a fed-batch bioreactor. The study paves the way for the production of lactones by fermentation of abundant fatty feedstocks.     

Hydrophobic substrate utilisation by the yeast Yarrowia lipolytica, and its potential applications

The alkane-assimilating yeast Yarrowia lipolytica degrades very efficiently hydrophobic substrates such as n-alkanes, fatty acids, fats and oils for which it has specific metabolic pathways. An overview of the oxidative degradation pathways for alkanes and triglycerides in Y. lipolytica is given, with new insights arising from the recent genome sequencing of this yeast. This includes the interaction of hydrophobic substrates with yeast cells, their uptake and transport, the primary alkane oxidation to the corresponding fatty alcohols and then by different enzymes to fatty acids, and the subsequent degradation in peroxisomal beta-oxidation or storage into lipid bodies. Several enzymes involved in hydrophobic substrate utilisation belong to multigene families, such as lipases/esterases (LIP genes), cytochromes P450 (ALK genes) and peroxisomal acyl-CoA oxidases (POX genes). Examples are presented demonstrating that wild-type and genetically engineered strains of Y. lipolytica can be used for alkane and fatty-acid bioconversion, such as aroma production, for production of SCP and SCO, for citric acid production, in bioremediation, in fine chemistry, for steroid biotransformation, and in food industry. These examples demonstrate distinct advantages of Y. lipolytica for their use in bioconversion reactions of biotechnologically interesting hydrophobic substrates.     

Isolation and characterisation of 8-hydroxy-3Z,5Z-tetradecadienoic acid,a putative intermediate in Pichia guilliermondii gamma-decalactone biosynthesis from ricinoleic acid

During a screening procedure for the discovery of a strong gamma-decalactone producer from ricinoleic acid, we observed that the yeast Pichia guilliermondii accumulated transiently 8-hydroxy-3Z,5Z-tetradecadienoic acid 1 during gamma-decalactone biosynthesis in the stationary phase of growth. The structural elucidation of 1 was based on nuclear magnetic resonance, infrared, ultraviolet and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry experiments. The occurrence of 1 is discussed in relation with previously proposed gamma-decalactone biosynthetic pathways.     

Oxidation of 17alpha,20beta- and 17alpha,20alpha-dihydroxysipregn-4-en-ones--side products of biotransformation of progesterone by recombinant microorganisms expressing cytochrome P45017alpha

Progesterone biotransformation with recombinant yeast Yarrowia lipolytica E129A15 and Saccharomyces cerevisiae GRF18/YEp5117 alpha expressing bovine adrenocortical cytochrome P45017 alpha yielded 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone and two diols, 17 alpha, 20 beta- and 17 alpha, 20 alpha-dihydroxypregn-4-en-3-one. The oxidation of mixtures of the three steroids with chromic acid resulted in the cleavage of 17-20 bonds in the diols with the formation of androst-4-ene-3,17-dione. The biotransformation of pregn-4-ene-20 beta-ol-3-one by means of Y. lipolytica E129A15 was accompanied by the following reactions: the primary oxidation of these compounds to progesterone and the subsequent successive reactions of 17 alpha-hydroxylation and 20 alpha- and 20 beta-reduction. The results widen the possibilities for enzymatic and chemical modifications of steroids. The English version of the paper: Russian Journal of Bioorganic Chemistry, 2003, vol. 29, no. 6; see also http://www.maik.ru.     

High cell density culture of Yarrowia lipolytica using a one-step feeding process

Yarrowia lipolytica is a potentially useful host for heterologous protein production. To develop an efficient culture method for high cell density cultivation and heterologous gene expression of Y. lipolytica, the effects of medium components and their concentrations on the growth of Y. lipolytica have been investigated. Addition of yeast extract to the culture media was found to significantly reduce the long lag phase encountered when Y. lipolytica was cultivated in synthetic culture media containing high concentrations of glycerol. Therefore, by enriching with 0.3% yeast extract the synthetic culture medium containing 15% glycerol, we could cultivate Y. lipolytica up to 83 g/L dry cell weight in a batch culture. Furthermore, over 100 g/L and 88 units/mL of rice alpha-amylase activity were obtained in less than 50 h with a one-step feeding process in which a recombinant Y. lipolytica expressing rice alpha-amylase was cultivated in the 10% glycerol medium enriched with 0.3% yeast extract and fed only once with the concentrated feeding medium (60% glycerol). The easy cultivation of recombinant Y. lipolytica to a high cell density may strengthen its position as a host for heterologous protein production.     

应用生物法合成内酯化合物

内酯是广泛存在于自然界中具有生物活性的一类化合物。由于大多数内酯化合物具有手性,用化学方法合成不仅过程复杂,而且产率也不高。利用酶反应的特异性,应用生物法合成内酯化合物具有很好的应用前景,其中包括微生物次生代谢合成内酯,脂肪酸生物转化合成内酯和脂肪酶在有机相中催化羟基脂肪酸形成内酯。本文报道这些领域的进展。     

Use of a Doehlert factorial design to investigate the effects of pH and aeration on the accumulation of lactones by Yarrowia lipolytica

AIMS: To detect rate-limiting steps in the production of lactones by studying the combined effect of pH and aeration on their accumulation. METHODS AND RESULTS: A Doehlert experimental design was chosen to evaluate the accumulation of four lactones in the pH (3.5-7.3) and K(L)a (4.1 h(-1) to 26 h(-1)) experimental domain. The accumulation of gamma-decalactone was higher at pH around 5 and increased at low aeration reaching 496 mg l(-1) at pH 6.35 and K(L)a 4.5 h(-1). The specific accumulation increased at low aeration. The 3-hydroxy-gamma-decalactone accumulation was higher at low pH and high aeration conditions: 660 mg l(-1) at pH 4.4 and 26 h(-1). For dec-2-en-4-olide and dec-3-en-4-olide, lower amounts were reached (104 mg l(-1) and 66 mg l(-1), respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Although the accumulation of the four lactones should be related to catalytic steps requiring oxygen, the accumulation of gamma-decalactone was higher in low aeration conditions whereas the one of 3-hydroxy-gamma-decalactone was promoted for high aeration. Decenolides accumulate independently of pH or aeration. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study gives new insights into the catabolism of lipids, such as the role of co-factor regulation and the fact that the 3-hydroxylactone dehydration step is insensitive to pH or aeration.     

High-level production of extracellular lipase by Yarrowia lipolytica mutants from methyl oleate

The yeast Yarrowia lipolytica degrades efficiently low-cost hydrophobic substrates for the production of various added-value products such as lipases. To obtain yeast strains producing high levels of extracellular lipase, Y. lipolytica DSM3286 was subjected to mutation using ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) and ultraviolet (UV) light. Twenty mutants were selected out of 1600 mutants of Y. lipolytica treated with EMS and UV based on lipase production ability on selective medium. A new industrial medium containing methyl oleate was optimized for lipase production. In the 20 L bioreactor containing new industrial medium, one UV mutant (U6) produced 356 U/mL of lipase after 24h, which is about 10.5-fold higher than that produced by the wild type strain. The properties of the mutant lipase were the same as those of the wild type: molecular weight 38 kDa, optimum temperature 37°C and optimum pH 7. Furthermore, the nucleotide sequences of extracellular lipase gene (LIP2) in wild type and mutant strains were determined. Only two silent substitutions at 362 and 385 positions were observed in the ORF region of LIP2. Two single substitutions and two duplications of the T nucleotide were also detected in the promoter region. LIP2 sequence comparison of the Y. lipolytica DSM3286 and U6 strains shows good targets to effective DNA recombinant for extracellular lipase of Y. lipolytica.     

代谢工程构建重组耶氏解脂酵母生产中长链聚羟基脂肪酸酯

中长链聚羟基脂肪酸酯(mcl-PHA)是一大类由微生物合成的天然生物聚酯,因具有可再生性和生物降解性越来越受到人们的关注。Mcl-PHA可由一些假单胞菌类利用自身的脂肪酸合成途径或β-氧化途径来合成。耶氏解脂酵母具有很好的脂/脂肪酸分解代谢能力,但是它体内缺乏PHA合成酶不能合成mcl-PHA。采用代谢工程策略构建重组解脂酵母,外源表达来自铜绿假单胞菌PAO1(Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1)的PHA合成酶。在PHA合成酶的C端添加PTS1过氧化物酶体定位信号序列,使其在过氧化物酶体内发挥功能,并对其编码基因PhaC1进行密码子优化得到oPhaC1。利用pINA1312载体构建表达框,借助载体上的zeta序列元件将oPhaC1基因表达框整合至酵母基因组,完成基因的稳定表达。重组菌PSOC在葡萄糖为唯一碳源的培养基中几乎不产PHA,添加0.5%的油酸时可合成占细胞干重0.67%的mcl-PHA。在含三油酸甘油酯的培养基中发酵72h产生1.51% mcl-PHA(wt%)。实验结果充分证明重组解脂酵母作为有潜力的微生物细胞工厂可以用于生产mcl-PHA,也为将来利用富含油脂和其他营养的餐厨垃圾水解液等廉价资源生产mcl-PHA打下基础。     

Decalactone Production by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Yarrowia lipolytica</Emphasis> under increased O<Subscript>2</Subscript> Transfer Rates

Yarrowia lipolytica converts methyl ricinoleate to γ-decalactone, a high-value fruity aroma compound. The highest amount of 3-hydroxy-γ-decalactone produced by the yeast (263 mg l^-1) occurred by increasing the k_La up to 120 h⁻¹ at atmospheric pressure; above it, its concentration decreased, suggesting a predominance of the activity of 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase. Cultures were grown under high-pressure, i.e., under increased O₂ solubility, but, although growth was accelerated, γ-decalactone production decreased. However, by applying 0.5 MPa during growth and biotransformation gave increased concentrations of dec−2-en-4-olide and dec-3-en-4-olide (70 mg l⁻¹).