Utilization of n-alkane and roles of lipid transfer proteins in Yarrowia lipolytica

Abstract

Yarrowia lipolytica, a dimorphic yeast belonging to the Ascomycota, has potent abilities to utilize hydrophobic compounds, such as n-alkanes and fatty acids, as carbon and energy sources. Yarrowia lipolytica can synthesize and accumulate large amounts of lipids, making it a promising host to produce various lipids and convert n-alkanes to useful compounds. For advanced use of Y. lipolytica in these applications, it is necessary to understand the metabolism of these hydrophobic compounds in this yeast and the underlying molecular mechanisms. In this review, current knowledge on the n-alkane metabolism and how this is regulated in Y. lipolytica is summarized. Furthermore, recent studies revealed that lipid transfer proteins are involved in the utilization of n-alkanes and the regulation of cell morphology in response to n-alkanes. This review discusses the roles of membrane lipids in these processes in Y. lipolytica.

Proteomes reveal metabolic capabilities of Yarrowia lipolytica for biological upcycling of polyethylene into high-value chemicals

“…Y. lipolytica expressed and upregulated many different proteins in the upstream catabolic pathways (i.e., the hydrocarbon degradation pathway, Krebs cycle, electron transport chain, and propionate metabolism). For instance, the oxysterol-binding protein (Q6C4Y2, YarlipO1F2_226951, or YALI0E22781p) of lipid metabolism was upregulated by 68-fold, which is speculated to play a role in intracellular hydrocarbon transport across organelle membranes ( 74 ). Likewise, the mitochondrial F1F0-ATP synthase (Q6C877, YarlipO1F2_232437, or YALI0D22022p) of energy metabolism was upregulated by 376-fold, which is critical for energy generation from NADH derived from the beta-oxidation of fatty acids.…”

Mar1, an HMG-box protein, regulatesn-alkane adsorption and cell morphology of the dimorphic yeastYarrowia lipolytica

“…The dimorphic yeast Yarrowia lipolytica possesses the abilities to utilize hydrophobic substrates, including n -alkane and triacylglycerol, as sole carbon and energy sources (1–3). Because of these characteristic features, Y. lipolytica has been investigated as a model organism to elucidate the metabolism of hydrophobic substrates and its regulation in yeasts (4–9). Furthermore, Y. lipolytica has attracted tremendous attention as a host for the bioconversion of hydrophobic substrates into various useful chemicals or for the bioremediation of soil and water contaminated by petroleum or oil (4, 10, 11).…”

The Extracellular Vesicles Containing Inorganic Polyphosphate of Candida Yeast upon Growth on Hexadecane

“…Studying the microorganisms capable of degradation and consumption of petroleum hydrocarbons is one of the most important directions for the creation of new biotechnologies for bioremediation of soils, wastes and natural reservoirs exposed to oil pollution. The Candida yeasts [ 1 , 2 , 3 ] and Yarrowia lipolytica [ 4 ] are the most studied eukaryotic microorganisms capable of degradation of hydrocarbons. The metabolic pathways of hydrocarbons and their derivatives assimilation by nonconventional yeasts still remain in researchers’ attention [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ].…”

“…The Candida yeasts [ 1 , 2 , 3 ] and Yarrowia lipolytica [ 4 ] are the most studied eukaryotic microorganisms capable of degradation of hydrocarbons. The metabolic pathways of hydrocarbons and their derivatives assimilation by nonconventional yeasts still remain in researchers’ attention [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]. Multiple genes participate in the assimilation of n-alkanes in yeasts [ 8 ].…”

“…For Y. lipolytica , alkanes are hydroxylated to the corresponding fatty alcohols and then the alcohols are oxidized to fatty acids in microsomes, mitochondria and peroxisomes, respectively. Degradation of fatty acids to acetyl-CoA via the β-oxidation pathways occurred in peroxisomes, acetyl-CoA, produced in peroxisomes, is converted to C4-compounds by the cooperative action of peroxisomes and mitochondria [ 3 , 4 ]. The lipid transfer proteins are involved in the utilization of n-alkanes and the regulation of cell morphology in response to n-alkanes in Y. lipolytica [ 4 ].…”