Open AccessIdentification of the UDP‐glucosyltransferase gene UGTA1 , responsible for the first glucosylation step in the sophorolipid biosynthetic pathway of Candida bombicola ATCC 22214
Author(s) -
Saerens Karen M.J.,
Roelants Sophie L.K.W.,
Van Bogaert Inge N.A.,
Soetaert Wim
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
fems yeast research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.991
H-Index - 92
eISSN - 1567-1364
pISSN - 1567-1356
DOI - 10.1111/j.1567-1364.2010.00695.x
Subject(s) - glucosyltransferase , biology , biochemistry , yeast , gene , biosynthesis , glucosyltransferases , fermentation , metabolic engineering , metabolic pathway , function (biology) , microbiology and biotechnology
Candida bombicola ATCC 22214 is applied commercially for the production of sophorolipids from renewable resources such as vegetable oils or waste streams. Although much research has been performed on optimization of fermentation conditions and on the influence of feed source and process parameters on sophorolipid structures and yields, the metabolic pathway of these important bioproducts remains unclear. Here, we identify a glucosyltransferase gene UGTA1 and show that the gene product is responsible for the first glucosylation step in the biosynthetic pathway of sophorolipids. Moreover, we provide evidence that the second glucosylation step is catalysed by a different glucosyltransferase that acts independently from the first. Therefore, the biosynthesis of sophorolipids by C. bombicola involves two glucosyltransferases that act in a stepwise manner. The UGTA1 gene described here is the first identified gene with a clear function in sophorolipid production by this economically important yeast.