Time-resolved transcriptomic profile of oleaginous yeast Rhodotorula mucilaginosa during lipid and carotenoids accumulation on glycerol

The study reports the exploration of the transcriptome landscape of the red oleaginous yeast Rhodotorula mucilaginosa IIPL32 coinciding with the fermentation kinetics of the yeast cultivated in a two-stage fermentation process to exploit the time-series approach to get the complete transcripts picture and reveal the persuasive genes for fatty acid and terpenoid synthesis. The finding displayed the molecular drivers with more than 2-fold upregulation in the nitrogen-limited stage than in the nitrogen-excess stage. The rate-limiting diphosphome-valonate decarboxylase, acetylCoA-citrate lyase, and acetyl-CoA C-acetyltransferase were significant in con-trolling the metabolic flux in the synthesis of reduced compounds, and acetoacetyl-CoA synthase, 3-ketoacyl-acyl carrier-protein reductase, and & beta;-subunit enoyl reductase catalyze the key starting steps of lipids or terpenoid synthesis. The last two catalyze essential reduction steps in fatty acid synthesis. These enzymes would be the prime targets for the metabolic engineering of the oleaginous yeast for enhanced fatty acids and terpenoid production.

Automated summary

This study explores the transcriptome landscape of Rhodotorula mucilaginosa IIPL32, a red oleaginous yeast, during a two-stage fermentation process. It identifies key genes involved in fatty acid and terpenoid synthesis, with significantly higher expression in the nitrogen-limited stage. The study highlights enzymes such as diphosphomevalonate decarboxylase, acetylCoA-citrate lyase, and acetyl-CoA C-acetyltransferase as important in controlling metabolic flux, as well as acetoacetyl-CoA synthase, 3-ketoacyl-acyl carrier-protein reductase, and β-subunit enoyl reductase involved in lipid and terpenoid synthesis.