Tolerant yeast in situ detoxifies major class of toxic chemicals while producing ethanol

Authors: Liu, Zonglin

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/25/2016
Publication Date: 5/22/2016
Citation: Liu, Z.L. 2016. Tolerant yeast in situ detoxifies major class of toxic chemicals while producing ethanol. In: TechConnect World Innovation Conference, May 22-25, 2016, National Harbor, Maryland. #705.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Renewable lignocellulosic materials contain abundant sugar source and biofuels conversion including cellulosic ethanol production from lignocellulosic biomass provides a sustainable alternative energy resource for a cleaner environment. In order to release the biomass sugars from the complex cellulosic structure for efficient microbial utilization, a pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass is required. Pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass, such as commonly used dilute acid hydrolysis, generates numerous toxic chemical compounds that inhibit microbial growth and subsequent fermentation. Overcoming major class of toxic chemicals is one of significant challenges for economic production of advanced biofuels including cellulosic ethanol. Scientists at Agricultural Research Service (ARS) created the first tolerant industrial yeast strain Saccharomyces cerevisiae NRRL Y-50049 that is able to in situ detoxify major class of toxic chemicals, such as toxic aldehydes represented by furfural and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), derived from lignocellulosic biomass pretreatment while producing ethanol. Using this tolerant industrial ethanologenic yeast strain, we defined the mode of action for reduction of furan aldehydes. Applying genomic technology, we revealed reprogrammed glycolysis and pentose phosphate pathways for the tolerant yeast in response to challenges of the toxic chemicals; identified key regulatory elements and candidate genes for the yeast tolerance; characterized genome expression and tolerant signaling pathways; detected global rewired networks, pathway interactions, and at least 44 downstream pathways involved in the yeast tolerance. Additionally, we defined a novel gene of aldehyde reductase ARI1 in S. cerevisiae and later proposed a new gene family of aldehyde reductase containing at least four members in the yeast. We also found new gene functions of previously reported genes that involved in the detoxification and concluded that multiple gene-mediated NAD(P)H-dependent aldehyde reduction is a mechanism of in situ detoxification of furfural and HMF by the tolerant yeast. S. cerevisiae NRRL Y-50049 is a U.S. patented strain and a valuable resource as a candidate for the next generation biocatalyst development for advanced biofuels production.