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Stress modulation as a means to improve yeasts for lignocellulose bioconversion

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Abstract

The second-generation (2G) fermentation environment for lignocellulose conversion presents unique challenges to the fermentative organism that do not necessarily exist in other industrial fermentations. While extreme osmotic, heat, and nutrient starvation stresses are observed in sugar- and starch-based fermentation environments, additional pre-treatment-derived inhibitor stress, potentially exacerbated by stresses such as pH and product tolerance, exist in the 2G environment. Furthermore, in a consolidated bioprocessing (CBP) context, the organism is also challenged to secrete enzymes that may themselves lead to unfolded protein response and other stresses. This review will discuss responses of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae to 2G-specific stresses and stress modulation strategies that can be followed to improve yeasts for this application. We also explore published –omics data and discuss relevant rational engineering, reverse engineering, and adaptation strategies, with the view of identifying genes or alleles that will make positive contributions to the overall robustness of 2G industrial strains.

Keypoints

• Stress tolerance is a key driver to successful application of yeast strains in biorefineries.

• A wealth of data regarding stress responses has been gained through omics studies.

• Integration of this knowledge could inform engineering of fit for purpose strains.

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Funding

This work was supported by the National Research Foundation (NRF) for financial support to the Chair of Energy Research: Biofuels and other clean alternative fuels (NRF Grant 86423) as well as through the CPRR program (NRF Grant 111691)

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RDH & WHVZ conceived the manuscript topics and designed the structure of the mini-review. BB, RDH, TJ, HK, and JG wrote the manuscript. BB collated the references. WHVZ, HK, and TJ produced the figures. The authors read and approved the manuscript.

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Correspondence to R. Den Haan.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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This article does not contain any studies with human participants or animals performed by any of the authors.

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Brandt, B.A., Jansen, T., Volschenk, H. et al. Stress modulation as a means to improve yeasts for lignocellulose bioconversion. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 105, 4899–4918 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-021-11383-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-021-11383-y

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