Use of population genetics to derive nonrecombinant Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains that grow using xylose as a sole carbon source

According to scientific dogma, Saccharomyces cerevisiae cannot grow utilizing xylose as a sole carbon source. Although recombinant DNA technology has overcome this deficiency to some degree, efficient utilization of xylose appears to require complex global changes in gene expression. This complexity...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:FEMS yeast research 2006-09, Vol.6 (6), p.862-868
Main Authors: Attfield, Paul V, Bell, Philip J.L
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aldehyde Reductase - analysis
Carbon
Carbon sources
D-Xylulose Reductase - analysis
evolutionary adaptation
Gene expression
Growth rate
Lignocellulose
Natural selection
nonrecombinant
Population genetics
Recombinant DNA
Recombination, Genetic
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Saccharomyces cerevisiae - genetics
Saccharomyces cerevisiae - growth & development
Saccharomyces cerevisiae - metabolism
Selection, Genetic
Xylitol
Xylitol dehydrogenase
Xylose
Xylose - metabolism
Xylose reductase
Yeast
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Summary:According to scientific dogma, Saccharomyces cerevisiae cannot grow utilizing xylose as a sole carbon source. Although recombinant DNA technology has overcome this deficiency to some degree, efficient utilization of xylose appears to require complex global changes in gene expression. This complexity provides a significant challenge to the development of yeasts suitable for the utilization of xylose-rich lignocellulosic substrates. In contrast to the dogma, we have found that native strains of S. cerevisiae can grow on xylose as a sole carbon source, albeit very slowly. This observation provided the basis for a new approach using natural selection to develop strains of S. cerevisiae with improved ability to utilize xylose. By applying natural selection and breeding over an extended period, we have developed S. cerevisiae strains that can double in less than 6 h using xylose as a sole carbon source. Strains with improved growth rate possessed increased xylose reductase and xylitol dehydrogenase activities, with the latter showing the greater improvement. This unique, completely nonrecombinant approach to developing xylose-utilizing strains of S. cerevisiae opens an alternative route to the development of yeast that can fully utilize lignocellulosic substrates.
ISSN:1567-1356
1567-1364
DOI:10.1111/j.1567-1364.2006.00098.x