Lipid accumulation in nitrogen and phosphorus-limited yeast is caused by less growth-related dilution.

ABSTRACT: Oleaginous yeasts are used commercially to produce oleochemicals and hold potential also for biodiesel production. In response to nitrogen or phosphorous limitation, oleaginous yeasts accumulate lipids in the form of triacylglycerols. Previous work has investigated potential mechanisms by which nutrient limitation induces lipid biosynthesis without verifying whether lipid biosynthesis flux is actually enhanced. Here we show, using ¹³C-glucose tracing, that in nitrogen or phosphorous limitation, lipid accumulation occurs without consistent increases in biosynthetic flux. Instead, the main driver of increased lipid pools is decreased growth-related dilution. This conclusion holds across two divergent oleaginous yeasts: Rhodotorula toruloides and Yarrowia lipolytica. Quantitative p

SUBMITTER: Li X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12721721 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature