University of California

Aram Kang

Taek Soon Lee

The present invention provides for a genetically modified host cell capable of producing isopentenol and/or 3-methyl-3-butenol, comprising (a) an increased expression of phosphomevalonate decarboxylase (PMD) (b) an increased expression of a phosphatase capable of converting isopentenol into 3-methyl-3-butenol, (c) optionally the genetically modified host cell does not express, or has a decreased expression of one or more of NudB, phosphomevalonate kinase (PMK), and/or PMD, and (d) optionally one or more further enzymes capable of converting isopentenol and/or 3-methyl-3-butenol into a third compound, such as isoprene.

Host cells and methods for producing isopentenol from mevalonate

The present invention provides for a method to identify a second or mutant phosphomevalonate decarboxylase (PMD) with a higher PMD activity compared to a first PMD, comprising (a) culturing a medium comprising a first host cell expressing the first PMD and a second host cell expressing the second or mutant PMD wherein the first and second host cells have their respective PMD enzymatic activities coupled to the growth rates of the host cells, and (b) identifying the second host cell that has a higher growth rate than the first host cell, thereby identifying the second or mutant PMD having a higher PMD activity.

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Richmond, CA, United States of America

Aram Kang