Houard Sophie, Heinderyckx Michel, Bollen Alex
Henogen sa, rue des Professeurs Jeener et Brachet 12, 6041 Gosselies, Belgium.
Biochimie. 2002 Nov;84(11):1089-93. doi: 10.1016/s0300-9084(02)00011-1.
Methylotrophic yeasts, named after their ability to grow on methanol as the sole carbon source, have raised large interest as recombinant protein factories. In this review, we explain the basic mechanisms underlying this interest and describe the minimal requirements to transform the two genera recognized as methylotrophic, Pichia and Candida, into a powerful protein production tool. We present a comparison between this group of yeasts and the conventional yeasts used as expression system in view of productivity, level of secretion and quality of post-translational modifications. Selected examples of recombinant protein produced by methylotrophic yeast are also included.
