Microorganisms and methods for producing 2-pyrone-4,6-dicarboxylic acid and other compounds

A recombinant microorganism comprising modifications with respect to a corresponding native microorganism not comprising the modifications, wherein:

• the native microorganism comprises a native 2-pyrone-4,6-dicarboxylic acid (PDC) hydrolase gene, a native 4-carboxy-2-hydroxy-6-methoxy-6-oxohexa-2,4-dienoate (CHMOD) cis-trans isomerase gene, and a native 4-carboxy-2-hydroxy-6-methoxy-6-oxohexa-2,4-dienoate (CHMOD) methyl esterase gene;
• the modifications comprise:
• a mutation of the native 2-pyrone-4,6-dicarboxylic acid (PDC) hydrolase gene that reduces PDC hydrolase activity in the recombinant microorganism with respect to the corresponding native microorganism;
• a mutation of the native 4-carboxy-2-hydroxy-6-methoxy-6-oxohexa-2,4-dienoate (CHMOD) cis-trans isomerase gene that reduces CHMOD cis-trans isomerase activity in the recombinant microorganism with respect to the corresponding native microorganism;
• and
• a mutation of the native 4-carboxy-2-hydroxy-6-methoxy-6-oxohexa-2,4-dienoate (CHMOD) methyl esterase gene that reduces CHMOD methyl esterase activity in the recombinant microorganism with respect to the corresponding native microorganism;
• and
• the recombinant microorganism is capable of producing 2-pyrone-4,6-dicarboxylic acid.