Issatchenkia orientalis (also known as Pichia kudriavzevii and Candida krusei) is a diploid ascomyceteous yeast reported to have 5 chromosomes and with a genome size ~11Mb1,2. This species is renowned for its extraordinary ability to tolerate multiple stresses including low pH (< 3.5) 2 as well as clinical and agricultural fungicides1. Because of these unique abilities, I. orientalis may be useful as a chassis for producing renewable fuels and chemicals at an industrial scale. Some groups have already engineered I. orientalis and demonstrated production of organic acids including succinate and lactate2,3. In addition to the biotechnological applications, I. orientalis strains are used to produce several foods such as cocoa and cassava fermentations. The sequenced ATCC PTA-6658 is listed in a Cargill patent and was ordered from ATCC.
Researchers who wish to publish analyses using data from unpublished CSP genomes are respectfully required to contact the PI and JGI to avoid potential conflicts on data use and coordinate other publications with the CSP master paper(s).
References
- Douglass, A. P. et al. Population genomics shows no distinction between pathogenic Candida krusei and environmental Pichia kudriavzevii: One species, four names. PLoS Pathog. (2018). doi:10.1371/journal.ppat.1007138
- Xiao, H. et al. Exploiting Issatchenkia orientalis SD108 for succinic acid production. Microb. Cell Fact. (2014). doi:10.1186/s12934-014-0121-4.
- Sohn, J. et al. Low-pH production of D-lactic acid using newly isolated acid tolerant yeast Pichia kudriavzevii NG7. Biotechnol Bioeng. (2018). doi:10.1002/bit.26745