Peroxisome Engineering for Overproduction of Sesquiterpenoid α‑Santalene in Ogataea polymorpha.
Xie Linfeng L, Shen Yiwei Y, Geng Zhi Z, Yu Fei F et al.
Santalene is the core aromatic component of natural sandalwood essential oil and the key precursor of santalol, which is a high-value sesquiterpenoid with unique woody aroma and bioactivities. Microbial production emerges as a promising alternative supply route other than inefficient plant extraction. Herein, we systematically engineer a peroxisomal factory for α-santalene overproduction in Ogataea polymorpha by optimizing mevalonate pathway in peroxisomes and enhancing the supply of reducing power NADPH and precursor acetyl-CoA. The engineered strain produced 556.2 mg/L and 3.4 g/L α-santalene in shake flask batch and fed-batch fermentations, respectively. This work suggests O. polymorpha is a promising host for peroxisome engineering and offers a sustainable bio-manufacturing route for santalol derivatives.