Synthesis of high-titer alka(e)nes in Yarrowia lipolytica is enabled by a discovered mechanism.
basic_science · Level V
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 33273473.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1038/s41467-020-19995-0 and PMC identifier 7713262.
- Licence recorded as CC BY.
- The licence permits redistribution, so the abstract is shown in full and the full text is available from the publisher.
Abstract
Alka(e)nes are ideal fuel components for aviation, long-distance transport, and shipping. They are typically derived from fossil fuels and accounting for 24% of difficult-to-eliminate greenhouse gas emissions. The synthesis of alka(e)nes in Yarrowia lipolytica from CO<sub>2</sub>-neutral feedstocks represents an attractive alternative. Here we report that the high-titer synthesis of alka(e)nes in Yarrowia lipolytica harboring a fatty acid photodecarboxylase (CvFAP) is enabled by a discovered pathway. We find that acyl-CoAs, rather than free fatty acids (FFAs), are the preferred substrate for CvFAP. This finding allows us to debottleneck the pathway and optimize fermentation conditions so that we are able to redirect 89% of acyl-CoAs from the synthesis of neutral lipids to alka(e)nes and reach titers of 1.47 g/L from glucose. Two other CO<sub>2</sub>-derived substrates, wheat straw and acetate, are also demonstrated to be effective in producing alka(e)nes. Overall, our technology could advance net-zero emissions by providing CO<sub>2</sub>-neutral and energy-dense liquid biofuels.
Medical subject headings
- Alkanes
- Alkenes
- Yarrowia