Biotransformations with genetically modified baker's yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Baker’s yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is quite commonly applied as a wholecell biocatalysts in biotransformations – reactions based on enzymatic transformations of chemical compounds. Yeast cells are easy in cultivation and use. They are usually used to catalyze such reactions as bioreduction or hydrolysis. The full sequencing of its genome accompanied with achievements of genetic engineering allowed to design new yeast strains characterized by high conversion yield and reaction selectivity. Genetically modified cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae catalyze biotransformations, which lead to chiral building blocks important in pharmaceutical industry (especially those obtained by reduction of á- and â -oxoesters). „Designer yeast” is a new catalyst for Baeyer–Villiger oxidation. Recombinant yeast lipases have been discussed as useful means in biodiesel production because the microbiological method of producing of this kind of fuel has many advantages. There is a growing interest in application of modified yeast in biotransformation reactions. Modern directions to improve catalytic abilities of baker’s yeast include: the use of surface display technology of enzymes, optimization or increase in availability of cofactor required for bioreduction reactions or gene knock-out, which eliminates the activity of enzymes with conflicting and unwanted stereoselectivities. Commonly used technique is also overexpression of the desired protein or expression of heterologous enzymes in yeast cells