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Abstract
Evaluation of: Wenger JW, Schwartz K, Sherlock G: Bulk segregant analysis by high-throughput sequencing reveals a novel xylose utilization gene from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. PLoS Genet. 6(5), e1000942 (2010).
Biomass conversion to fuels and chemicals relies heavily upon the fermentative activity of organisms such as the standard yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae. For these fuels to serve as sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels, it is necessary to optimize the fermentation of lignocellulosic biomass. Accomplishing this task requires the conversion of xylose, the second most abundant carbohydrate in lignocellulose. Traditionally, it is thought that wild-type S. cerevisiae lacks the capacity to utilize xylose without intervening genetic or evolutionary engineering. However, a recent study by Wenger et al. surveying 647 strains of yeast has demonstrated that a subset (including S. cerevisiae strains) possess native xylose utilization capacity enabled by the putative xylitol dehydrogenase, XDH1, found in a subtelomeric insert not seen in the standard sequenced strain of yeast, S288c. This latent metabolic potential raises the possibility of finding alternative hosts and enzymes for biomass catabolism and suggests strategies for bioprospecting.
Financial & competing interests disclosure
The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.
No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.