Biological methods for preparing terpenes

A genetically modified microorganism, comprising:

• one or more heterologous nucleic acids encoding one or more terpene biosynthesis polypeptides, wherein expression of at least one of the heterologous nucleic acids is regulated by a nucleic acid that provides for fatty acid or alkane induction of expression of the terpene biosynthesis polypeptide:
• wherein the one or more heterologous nucleic acids that encode one or more terpene biosynthesis polypeptides is chosen from terpene synthase, phytoene synthase, geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase, phytoene desaturase, lycopene cyclase, bifunctional lycopene cyclase/phytoene synthase, β-carotene ketolase, β-carotene hydroxylase, astaxanthin synthase, zeaxanthin glucosyltransferase and valencene synthase, or
• wherein the one or more heterologous nucleic acids is a cytochrome P450 reductase and is regulated by a nucleic acid that provides for alkane induction of expression of the cytochrome P450 reductase.

A genetically modified microorganism, comprising

• one or more heterologous nucleic acids encoding one or more terpene biosynthesis polypeptides, and
• a genetic modification that alters the expression of a polypeptide providing for transport of acetyl-carnitine in the microorganism,
• wherein the expression of at least one of the heterologous nucleic acids is regulated by a nucleic acid that provides for glucose, fatty acid or alkane induction of expression of the terpene biosynthesis polypeptide.

A genetically modified Candida viswanathii yeast, comprising one or more heterologous nucleic acids encoding one or more terpene biosynthesis polypeptides, wherein expression of at least one of the heterologous nucleic acids is regulated by a nucleic acid that provides for glucose, fatty acid or alkane induction of expression of the terpene biosynthesis polypeptide and

• wherein the one or more heterologous nucleic acids encoding one or more terpene biosynthesis polypeptides is selected from terpene synthase, phytoene synthase, geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase, phytoene desaturase, lycopene cyclase, bifunctional lycopene cyclase/phytoene synthase, β-carotene ketolase, β-carotene hydroxylase, astaxanthin synthase, zeaxanthin glucosyltransferase and valencene synthase, or
• wherein the one or more heterologous nucleic acids is a cytochrome P450 reductase and is regulated by a nucleic acid that provides for glucose or alkane induction of expression of the cytochrome P450 reductase.

A genetically modified yeast comprising one or more heterologous nucleic acids encoding phytoene synthase, geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase and phytoene desaturase, wherein the amount and/or activity of a Ras2 protein has been decreased.

A genetically modified yeast comprising one or more heterologous nucleic acids encoding geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase, phytoene desaturase and bifunctional lycopene cyclase/phytoene synthase, wherein the amount and/or activity of a Ras2 protein has been decreased.

A genetically modified yeast comprising one or more heterologous nucleic acids encoding geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase, phytoene desaturase, bifunctional lycopene cyclase/phytoene synthase, β-carotene ketolase, β-carotene hydroxylase, astaxanthin synthase, and cytochrome p450 reductase, wherein the amount and/or activity of a Ras2 protein has been decreased.