Progress in the Synthesis of Sterols and Related Natural Products by Manipulating the Ergosterol Biosynthetic Pathway in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Sterols, crucial structural components of cellular membranes, exhibit essential biological functions and serve as key intermediates in the agricultural and pharmaceutical industries. Recent advances in synthetic biology have established Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a robust microbial chassis for sterol biosynthesis. Through strategic integration of heterologous pathways and systematic enhancement of metabolic flux, this eukaryotic platform has enabled de novo synthesis of diverse high-value steroids. This review systematically examines recent progress in metabolic engineering of S. cerevisiae for sterol biosynthesis and overproduction.