Recombinant polynucleotide sequence for producing astaxanthin and uses thereof

A recombinant polynucleotide sequence for producing astaxanthin, or a precursor or a derivative thereof, in a host cell, comprising,

• a first gene cassette comprising a first promoter, and a first nucleic acid sequence operatively linked to the first promoter and encodes a geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate synthase;
• a second gene cassette comprising a second promoter, and a second nucleic acid sequence operatively linked to the second promoter and encodes a 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase;
• a third gene cassette comprising a third promoter, and a third nucleic acid sequence operatively linked to the third promoter and encodes a phytoene desaturase;
• and
• a fourth gene cassette comprising a fourth promoter, and a fourth nucleic acid sequence operatively linked to the fourth promoter and encodes a bi-functional enzyme that possesses the respective functions of a phytoene synthase and a lycopene cyclase;
• and
• the 3′-end of each gene cassette of the recombinant polynucleotide sequence is homologous to the 5′-end of the next gene cassette downstream thereto,
• wherein the first, second, third, and fourth nucleic acid sequences respectively comprise the sequences of SEQ ID NOs:
• 1, 2, 3, and 4,
• wherein the host cell is Kluveromyces marxianus, and
• wherein the derivative of astaxanthin is an astaxanthin monoester or an astaxanthin diester.