Metabolic versatility of the Wickerhamiella/Starmerella yeast clade: from sugar utilization to lipid metabolism.

ABSTRACT: The Wickerhamiella/Starmerella (W/S) yeast clade has recently gained attention as a "treasure trove" of metabolic diversity, characterized by unusual pathways shaped through complex evolutionary events. One of their most distinctive traits is their specialized sugar metabolism, which allows them to thrive in sugar-rich environments. While their role in sugar utilization is well established, emerging evidence suggests that some W/S species can also metabolize hydrophobic compounds, indicating a broader capacity for lipid-related processes. For instance, several W/S species produce sophorolipids (SLs)-a class of glycolipids with commercial applications as sustainable biosurfactants. This ability has sparked growing interest in their potential to synthesize a diverse range of lipids, includin

SUBMITTER: Vandeputte M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12461148 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature