Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains were engineered to produce short chain fatty acids. These saturated carboxylic acids can be transformed through chemical catalysis to intermediates currently derived from petroleum based feedstocks. The synthesis of short chain fatty acids requires access of short chain thioesterases to the growing fatty acid chain. The complex and closed structure of the native yeast fatty acid synthase (FAS) prevents this. Therefore, we have introduced a heterologous type-1 FAS that provides the required flexibility and access. Overexpression of this FAS allowed growth of a yeast strain deficient in fatty acid synthesis; thereby, demonstrating in vivo activity and full functional replacement of the native FAS. By removing the thioesterase domain and overexpressing novel short chain thioesterases, this enzyme enabled the production of short chain fatty acids in yeast.

Development of Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains for the synthesis of short chain fatty acids

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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