title: New-to-nature sophorose analog: a potent inducer for gene expression in Trichoderma reesei.
abstract: Controlled hydrolysis of lactonic sophorolipids from Starmerella bombicola yields a previously undescribed sophorose analog that potently induces cellulase in Trichoderma reesei Rut-C30. Acid treatment of natural sophorolipids results in a mixture of monoacetylated, deacetylated, and diacetylated sophorolipids in acidic and lactonic forms. Isolation of the active components of the mixture, followed by structure determination by MS and NMR, reveals a new chemical entity, in which the lactone ring has been opened at the C-1' rather than at the C-4″ position of the sophorose moiety. This sophorose ester is resistant to degradation by the host and is at least 28 times more powerful an inducer than sophorose in shake-flask culture. Even at low concentrations (0.05 mM), the chemically modified sophorolipid effectively induces cellulase. With further improvements, this highly enabling technology can potentially reduce the cost of enzymes produced in T. reesei and can facilitate the rapid deployment of enzyme plants to support the nascent cellulosic biofuels and biochemicals industries.
authors.affiliation: Panorama Research, Inc., 1230 Bordeaux Dr., Sunnyvale, CA 94089-1202, United States; Sophoro Biotechnologies, LLC 1230 Bordeaux Dr. Rm. 20, Sunnyvale, CA 94089-1202, United States. Electronic address: huan45@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Tom Tao
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: Panorama Research, Inc., 1230 Bordeaux Dr., Sunnyvale, CA 94089-1202, United States; Sophoro Biotechnologies, LLC 1230 Bordeaux Dr. Rm. 20, Sunnyvale, CA 94089-1202, United States.
authors.forename: John M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Wages
mesh_terms: D056804:Biofuels; D002480:Cellulase / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D043366:Cellulose 1,4-beta-Cellobiosidase / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D004790:Enzyme Induction / Q000187:drug effects; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects; D005800:Genes, Fungal / Q000187:drug effects; D005936:Glucans / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006868:Hydrolysis; D015394:Molecular Structure; D014242:Trichoderma / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D056804:Biofuels; D005656:Fungal Proteins; D005936:Glucans; D002480:Cellulase; D043366:Cellulose 1,4-beta-Cellobiosidase; C003328:sophorose
keywords: Cellulase; Fermentation; Gene expression; Inducer; Sophorolipid; Trichoderma