Bioproduction of para-hydroxycinnamic acid

A recombinant host cell lacking a cinnamate hydroxylase activity and comprising a gene encoding a tyrosine ammonia lyase activity operably linked to suitable regulatory sequences.

A recombinant host cell comprising a gene encoding a tyrosine ammonia lyase activity operably linked to suitable regulatory sequences selected from the group consisting of cells having the ATCC designation PTA 407 and PTA 409.

A tyrosine ammonia lyase gene encoding the polypeptide set forth in SEQ ID NO:10.

A polypeptide as set forth in SEQ ID NO:10

A recombinant host cell having the ATCC designation, PTA 408.

A method for identifying a gene encoding a TAL activity comprising:

• (i) contacting a recombinant microorganism comprising a foreign gene suspected of encoding a TAL activity with PHCA for a time sufficient to metabolize PHCA;
• and
• (ii) monitoring the growth of the recombinant microorganism whereby growth of the organism indicates the presence of a gene encoding a TAL activity.

A method for identifying a gene encoding a TAL activity comprising:

• (i) transforming a host cell which uses PHCA as a sole carbon source with a gene suspected of encoding a TAL activity to create a transformant;
• (ii) comparing the rate of growth of the transformant with an un-transformed host cell capable of using PHCA as a sole carbon source wherein an accelerated rate of growth by the transformant indicates the presence of a gene encoding a TAL activity.