Abstract
Yarrowia lipolytica yeast is a model species of the group of oleaginous microorganisms capable of intracellular lipids accumulation in an amount exceeding 20% of the dry mass. Single cell oil biosynthesis can follow one of two biochemical pathways—de novo accumulation of cellular lipids in medium containing non-lipid carbon sources (including saccharides, glycerol) and ex novo microbial oil synthesis which involves fatty acids uptake from the environment. The mRNA expression of selected genes of de novo and ex novo lipid synthesis pathways was analyzed and correlated with the phenotypically observed features. It was proved that the accumulation yield of storage lipids via ex novo pathway was to some extent dependent on the limitation of the nitrogen source in the medium. It was also proposed that the synthesis of intracellular lipids in lipid-rich medium proceeded mainly via ex novo pathway, although the activity of genes encoding the enzymes of the de novo pathway were not completely inhibited at the stage of transcription by fatty acids present in the medium (e.g., ATP-citrate lyase). Molecular markers of two biosynthesis routes has been outlined and a hypothetical connection point between de novo and ex novo route were indicated.
Highlights
Restricted number of microorganisms have been recorded to be capable of growing on fats and at the same time accumulate significant lipid quantities [1]
Y. lipolytica yeast is a model species of the group of both lipolytic and oleaginous microorganisms accumulating lipids in an amount exceeding 20% of the cell dry mass
The preliminary study has only focused on transcription level of two genes: POX2 which encodes acyl-CoA oxidase II involved in β-oxidation of fatty acids and ATPdependent citrate lyase (ACL) which encoded ATP-citrate lyase—enzyme crucial for de novo lipid biosynthesis [11]
Summary
Restricted number of microorganisms have been recorded to be capable of growing on fats and at the same time accumulate significant lipid quantities [1]. Y. lipolytica yeast is a model species of the group of both lipolytic and oleaginous microorganisms accumulating lipids in an amount exceeding 20% of the cell dry mass. The main storage lipids are triacylglycerides (TAG, 90%) and in a lesser extent steryl esters (SE). These neutral lipids are being accumulated into a specialized organelle of the cell called the lipid body (LB) [2,3]. Research on the role of enzymes and its regulation for model Y. lipolytica yeasts is generating considerable interest in terms of synthetic biology and its practical soundness. In contrast to animals and plants, microorganisms can be engineered and accepted by the society as the safety of this yeast has been recently assessed [7]
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