Review Article | Open Access

Volume 2024 |Article ID 0051 | https://doi.org/10.34133/bdr.0051

Progress in the Metabolic Engineering of Yarrowia lipolytica for the Synthesis of Terpenes

Shun-Cheng Liu,^1,2,3,4,9 Longxing Xu,^1,9 Yuejia Sun,⁵ Lijie Yuan,¹ Hong Xu ,^2,3 Xiaoming Song ,^1,3,6 Liangdan Sun ^2,3,4,7,8

¹Hebei Key Laboratory for Chronic Diseases, Tangshan Key Laboratory for Preclinical and Basic Researchon Chronic Diseases, School of Basic Medical Sciences, North China University of Science and Technology,Tangshan 063210, Hebei, China
²Health Science Center, North China University of Science and Technology,Tangshan 063210, Hebei, China
³Key Laboratory for Quality of Salt Alkali Resistant TCM of HebeiAdministration of TCM, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan 063210, Hebei, China
⁴Inflammation and Immune Diseases Laboratory of North China University of Science and Technology,Tangshan 063210, Hebei, China
⁵School of Nursing and Rehabilitation, North China University of Scienceand Technology, Tangshan 063210, Hebei, China
⁶School of Life Sciences, North China University of Scienceand Technology, Tangshan 063210, Hebei, China
⁷North China University of Science and TechnologyAffiliated Hospital, Tangshan 063000, Hebei, China
⁸School of Public Health, North China University ofScience and Technology, Tangshan 063210, Hebei, China
⁹These authors contributed equally to this work

Abstract

Terpenes are natural secondary metabolites with isoprene as the basic structural unit; they are widely found in nature and have potential applications as advanced fuels, pharmaceutical ingredients, and agricultural chemicals. However, traditional methods are inefficient for obtaining terpenes because of complex processes, low yields, and environmental unfriendliness. The unconventional oleaginous yeast Yarrowia lipolytica, with a clear genetic background and complete gene editing tools, has attracted increasing attention for terpenoid synthesis. Here, we review the synthetic biology tools for Y. lipolytica, including promoters, terminators, selection markers, and autonomously replicating sequences. The progress and emerging trends in the metabolic engineering of Y. lipolytica for terpenoid synthesis are further summarized. Finally, potential future research directions are envisioned.