Work

Exploring the complexity of xylitol production in the fungal cell factory Aspergillus niger

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Production of xylitol from agricultural by-products offers a promising approach for the circular bioeconomy. This study investigates the roles of transcription factors XlnR and CreA in xylitol production from wheat bran in Aspergillus niger by generating strains with a constitutively active XlnR (XlnR c , V756F mutation) and/or deletion of creA , in a previously generated xylitol-producing strain. The XlnR c mutation increased the initial rate of xylitol production but lowered the overall accumulation. Deletion of creA in this strain significantly improved both the onset and rate of xylitol production, indicating an inhibitory role of CreA in the PCP. These results demonstrate the complexity of metabolic engineering to generate fungal cell factories for valuable biochemicals, such as xylitol, as not only metabolic but also multiple gene regulation aspects need to be considered. • Genetic modifications in Aspergillus niger enhance xylitol production from wheat bran. • Constitutively active XlnR leads to high initial xylitol production. • Deletion of CreA together with constitutively active XlnR improves onset and rate of xylitol production.

Source: Enzyme and Microbial Technology

DOI: 10.1016/j.enzmictec.2024.110550

Authors: Astrid Müller, Jiali Meng, Robin Kuijpers, Miia R. Mäkelä, Ronald P. de Vries

Institutions: Utrecht University, Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Aalto University

Language: English

Topic: Microbial Metabolic Engineering and Bioproduction

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,590

Funders: Academy of Finland, China Scholarship Council