Development of the novel methanol bioconversion systems for a low-carbon and resource-recycling society and elucidation of their molecular basis

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19H04326
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 64050:Sound material-cycle social systems-related
• Research Institution: Kyoto University
• Principal Investigator: YURIMOTO Hiroya 京都大学, 農学研究科, 准教授 (00283648)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 遺伝子発現制御 / 転写因子 / シグナル伝達 / 異種タンパク質生産 / メタン / メタノール / メタノール酵母 / メタノール誘導性

Outline of Final Research Achievements

For the purpose of establishment of the low-carbon and circular society, “methanol economy”, in which methanol is used as a key compound for the production of useful compounds, is advocated. In this project, we investigated molecular basis of C1-metabolism in C1-microorganisms which can utilize methane or methanol. We elucidated physiological functions of transcriptional regulators and molecular mechanism of methanol-dependent gene regulation in methylotrophic yeasts which are used for heterologous protein production. Furthermore, we developed the basic technology of methanol production from various carbon resources such as methane and biomass and production of useful compounds from methanol.

Free Research Field

応用微生物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

メタノール酵母によるメタノールからの有用タンパク質生産の根幹を担うメタノール誘導制御機構について、転写制御因子の生理機能やメタノール濃度に応答した遺伝子発現制御機構を明らかにした。また、メタンやバイオマスからのメタノール変換プロセスおよびメタノールから有用物質への変換プロセスの新技術開発に活用できる基盤的知見を得た。本研究に明らかとなったC1微生物代謝生理機能の分子基盤や有用物質生産のための基盤技術は、低炭素循環型社会におけるバイオプロセスで活用することができる。