초록
<P><I>Rhodotorula glutinis</I>, an oleaginous red yeast, intrinsically produces several bio-products (i.e., lipids, carotenoids and enzymes) and is regarded as a potential host for biorefinery. In view of the limited available genetic engineering tools for this yeast, we have developed a useful genetic transformation method and transformed the β-carotene biosynthesis genes (<I>crtI</I>, <I>crtE</I>, <I>crtYB</I> and <I>tHMG1</I>) and cellulase genes (<I>CBHI</I>, <I>CBHII</I>, <I>EgI</I>, <I>EgIII</I>, <I>EglA</I> and <I>BGS</I>) into <I>R</I>. <I>glutinis</I> genome. The transformant P4-10-9-63Y-14B produced significantly higher β-carotene (27.13 ± 0.66 mg/g) than the wild type and also exhibited cellulase activity. Furthermore, the lipid production and salt tolerance ability of the transformants were unaffected. This is the first study to engineer the <I>R</I>. <I>glutinis</I> for simultaneous β-carotene and cellulase production. As <I>R</I>. <I>glutinis</I> can grow in sea water and can be engineered to utilize the cheaper substrates (i.e. biomass) for the production of biofuels or valuable compounds, it is a promising host for biorefinery.</P>