Expression of enzymes to increase geraniol production in Yarrowia lipolytica

• Grant number: 23/12012-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: October 01, 2023
• End date: September 30, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Food Science and Technology - Food Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Thiago Olitta Basso
• Grantee: Gabriela Ueda Modaffore
• Host Institution: Escola Politécnica (EP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 22/03052-0 - Metabolic and evolutionary engineering of non-conventional yeasts for bioactive terpenoid production, AP.PNGP.PI

Abstract

Geraniol is a monoterpene commonly used as a fragrance in the cosmetics industry, but it also has antimicrobial and antitumor potential, making it a highly relevant molecule. However, its main production routes are the extraction from plants or its chemical synthesis, inefficient processes, with expensive or polluting steps. Therefore, the project consists of the development of an oleaginous yeast Yarrowia lipolytica capable of biosynthesizing the terpene through the expression of geraniol synthase (GES) and its integration into the yeast genome. It is worth noting that recent studies point to greater production of geraniol through the expression of the enzyme geraniol synthase (GES) physically linked to the enzyme geranyl pyrophosphate synthase (GPPS). With this, it is possible to channel the precursor geranyl pyrophosphate which, less subject to degradation, is readily transformed into geraniol. Thus, the main objectives of the research are related to the transformation of yeast with expression cassettes, evaluation of the transcription of the inserted genes and, finally, the investigation of the production of geraniol by yeast in cultures on a bench scale.