[Reinforcement of sterols production through directed storage and transportation in yeast: a review]

Abstract

Sterols, a class of cyclopentane poly-hydrophenanthrene derivatives, are the predominant membrane constituent of eukaryotes. These substances have a variety of biological activities and have been widely used in food and pharmaceutical industries. The presence of endogenous ergosterol biosynthetic pathway in Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells make it an ideal chassis for the de novo synthesis of sterol and its derivatives. Most recently, the rational modification of organelles provides a novel strategy for the directed transportation and storage of target products and the ultimate enhanced product synthesis. This review summarizes the phenotypic responses of S. cerevisiae cells upon different physiological stimulations and the underlying molecular mechanisms. Reinforcement of sterol production through directed storage, transportation, and excretion of sterols offers a novel strategy for breaking the limitation of de novo biosynthesis of sterols in yeast.

Keywords: Saccharomyces cerevisiae; lipid droplets; rational modification; sterol; storage and transportation.