Yarrowia Retinol Production via Reduced ABC3 Activity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for producing retinol through microbial fermentation have not adequately addressed the stability of the retinol compound, and there is a need for a microorganism with reduced ABC3 protein activity to enhance retinol production and excretion.

Innovation Solution

A Yarrowia sp. microorganism with reduced ABC3 protein activity is cultured in a medium to increase retinol production, and a composition comprising the microorganism is used to enhance retinol excretion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If chemical synthesis methods are used for retinol production, then production efficiency is high, but product stability and purity are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction efficiencyVSAvoidproduct stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces chemical synthesis methods with a biological system (Yarrowia lipolytica microorganism) that naturally produces retinol through metabolic pathways. This substitution of mechanical/chemical processes with a biological system achieves both high productivity through fermentation scalability and high reliability through the natural stability of biologically produced retinol, eliminating the stability issues associated with chemical synthesis

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies key parameters of the Yarrowia lipolytica microorganism by reducing ABC3 protein activity (a transporter protein) to enhance retinol accumulation and excretion. By changing the physiological state and metabolic parameters of the microorganism through genetic modification, the system achieves optimized retinol production with improved yield and stability simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If ABC3 protein activity is reduced in Yarrowia sp., then retinol excretion increases, but cellular transport function may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveretinol excretionVSAvoidcellular function stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality modification by specifically targeting and reducing the activity of the ABC3 protein in particular cellular locations (membrane transport systems) while leaving the rest of the cellular machinery unchanged. This localized modification enhances retinol excretion at the membrane level without disrupting overall cellular function, as other transport systems and cellular processes remain intact

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements partial action by reducing rather than completely eliminating ABC3 protein activity. This partial reduction is sufficient to enhance retinol excretion while maintaining enough ABC3 function to preserve essential cellular transport activities, thereby avoiding the harmful effects of complete protein elimination

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP4678752A1Yarrowia sp. microorganism for producing retinol with reduced abc3 protein activity and retinol production method using same

Publication Date: 2026.01.14 CJ CHEILJEDANG CORP

Figure 1

AI summary

The present application relates to a Yarrowia sp. microorganism with retinol production ability, in which the activity of ABC3 protein is reduced compared to the endogenous activity thereof; a retinol production method using same; a method for producing Yarrowia sp. microorganisms with retinol production ability; a method for enhancing retinol release by microorganisms; and a composition for producing retinol.