Carotenoid Biosynthesis: Genome-Wide Profiling, Pathway Identification in Rhodotorula glutinis X-20, and High-Level Production

Abstract

<i>Rhodotorula glutinis</i>, as a member of the family <i>Sporidiobolaceae</i>, is of great value in the field of biotechnology. However, the evolutionary relationship of <i>R. glutinis</i> X-20 with <i>Rhodosporidiobolus</i>, <i>Sporobolomyces</i>, and <i>Rhodotorula</i> are not well understood, and its metabolic pathways such as carotenoid biosynthesis are not well resolved. Here, genome sequencing and comparative genome techniques were employed to improve the understanding of <i>R. glutinis</i> X-20. Phytoene desaturase (crtI) and 15-cis-phytoene synthase/lycopene beta-cyclase (crtYB), key enzymes in carotenoid pathway from <i>R. glutinis</i> X-20 were more efficiently expressed in <i>S. cerevisiae</i> INVSc1 than in <i>S. cerevisiae</i> CEN.PK2-1C. High yielding engineered strains were obtained by using synthetic biology technology constructing carotenoid pathway in <i>S. cerevisiae</i> and optimizing the precursor supply after fed-batch fermentation with palmitic acid supplementation. Genome sequencing analysis and metabolite identification has enhanced the understanding of evolutionary relationships and metabolic pathways in <i>R. glutinis</i> X-20, while heterologous construction of carotenoid pathway has facilitated its industrial application.