Host cells and methods for producing diacid compounds

A genetically modified host cell comprising:

• (a) a first enzyme having a first enzymatic activity that catalyzes a methyl transfer to an acyl-ACP species with a free carboxylate group distal to the thioester bond to form a first intermediate compound, (b) optionally enzymes having enzymatic activities that elongates the first intermediate molecule to form a second intermediate compound, and (c) optionally a second enzyme activity that catalyzes a release of the first or second intermediate molecule from the ACP through thioester hydrolysis to form an α,ω-dicarboxylic acids (DCAs) and/or a mono-methyl ester derivative of dicarboxylic acids (DCAMME).