METABOLIC ENGINEERING OF XYLOSE-FERMENTING EUKARYOTIC CELLS

摘要

The present invention relates to genetic modifications in eukaryotic host cells that have been transformed to express a xylose isomerase that confers on the host cell the ability to isomerize xylose to xylulose. These genetic modifications are aimed at improving the efficiency of xylose metabolism and include, e.g., reduction of nonspecific aldose reductase activity, increased xylulose kinase activity and increased flux of the pentose phosphate pathway. The modified host cells of the invention are suitable for the production of a wide variety of fermentation products, including ethanol, in fermentation processes in which a source of xylose or a source of xylose and glucose are used as carbon source.

主权项

1. A eukaryotic host cell with the ability to directly isomerise xylose into xylulose, which host cell is genetically modified to increase the flux of the pentose phosphate pathway, so that specific xylose consumption rate in the cells is at least 346 mg xylose/gram biomass/hour.