Microbial synthesis of long-chain α-alkenes from methanol by engineering Pichia pastoris

Abstract

α-Alkenes (terminal alkenes) are important fuel and platform chemicals that are mainly produced from petroleum. Microbial synthesis might provide a sustainable approach for α-alkenes. In this work, we engineered the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris to produce long-chain (C15:1, C17:1 and C17:2) α-alkenes via a decarboxylation of fatty acids. Combinatorial engineering, including enzyme selection, expression optimization and peroxisomal compartmentalization, enabled the production of 1.6 mg/L α-alkenes from sole methanol. This study represents the first case of α-alkene biosynthesis from methanol and also provides a reference for the construction of methanol microbial cell factories of other high-value chemicals.

Keywords

Methylotrophic yeast / Pichia pastoris / α-Alkenes / Methanol biorefinery / Cofactor engineering / Peroxisome

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Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China(21922812)

National Key Research and Development Program of China(2021YFC2103500)

DICP innovation grant(DICP I201920)