Improved Selectivity of the Production of Vanilloids in a Recombinant Unicellular Host

摘要

The present invention relates to methods for producing vanilloid compounds in a recombinant host, and in particular for converting a protocatechuic aldehyde into a substantially pure vanilloid. It further relates to novel yeast strains that are suitable for producing such vanilloid compounds.

主权项

1. A method for producing a substantially pure vanilloid of formula (I): R1 being selected from the group consisting of —CHO; —COOH; —COOR3; —CH2OH; —CH2COOH; —C(═O)CH3; —CR3(OH)COOH; —CHR3COOH; —CH2NHC(═O)R3; wherein R3 is a lower alkyl, R2 being different from a methyl (—CH3),comprising the steps of:
a) providing a recombinant unicellular host capable of producing said vanilloid, wherein said recombinant host expresses at least a nucleic acid coding for a 3-dehydroshikimate dehydratase (3DSD) and at least a nucleic acid coding for an aromatic carboxylic acid reductase (ACAR); b) cultivating said host in a suitable medium; and c) recovering the produced vanilloid from said host or from the culture supernatant thereof, wherein said recombinant host expresses at least a nucleic acid coding for a caffeic acid 3-O-methyltransferase polypeptide that is suitable for methylating selectively the 3-OH of a protocatechuic aldehyde.