Compositions, methods, and systems for modifying sterol metabolism in a subject is disclosed. In some embodiments, the subjects may be administered one or more mammalian cells modified to express at least one sterol degrading enzyme derived from a bacterium. In many embodiments, the cell is a macrophage or monocyte stably expressing three or more enzymes that aid in opening the β ring of cholesterol. The disclosed compositions and methods may be useful in lowering cholesterol levels in a subject in need thereof. In some embodiments, the subject may have a genetic predisposition to atherosclerosis.

Compositions, methods, and systems for modifying sterol metabolism in a subject is disclosed. In some embodiments, the subjects may be administered one or more mammalian cells modified to express at least one sterol degrading enzyme derived from a bacterium. In many embodiments, the cell is a macrophage or monocyte stably expressing three or more enzymes that aid in opening the β ring of cholesterol. The disclosed compositions and methods may be useful in lowering cholesterol levels in a subject in need thereof. In some embodiments, the subject may have a genetic predisposition to atherosclerosis.

The present invention relates to a recombinant yeast strain having sterol productivity, a preparation method therefor and a use thereof, and more specifically, to a recombinant yeast strain capable of producing cholesterol and cholesterol precursors in a high yield through the deletion of ERG5 and ERG6 genes and the introduction of DHCR24 and DHCR7 genes by codon-optimizing same in multiple or with a codon context method; and a production method therefor and a use thereof. In addition, disclosed are: a method for producing a recombinant yeast strain with increased production yields of cholesterol and cholesterol precursors by the additional introduction of gene tHMG1, ERG2, ERG3, ERG27, or UPC2-1 in the prepared recombinant yeast strain; and a use thereof

Compositions, methods, and systems for modifying sterol metabolism in a subject is disclosed. In some embodiments, the subjects may be administered one or more mammalian cells modified to express at least one sterol degrading enzyme derived from a bacterium. In many embodiments, the cell is a macrophage or monocyte stably expressing three or more enzymes that aid in opening the ring of cholesterol. The disclosed compositions and methods may be useful in lowering cholesterol levels in a subject in need thereof. In some embodiments, the subject may have a genetic predisposition to atherosclerosis.

Methods for increasing levels of provitamin D3 and/or vitamin D3 in plants are described. Tomato plants were genetical modified resulting in decreased activity of 7-dehydrocholesterol reductase.

The present invention relates to genetically-modified oleaginous yeasts for producing non-native sterols at commercially useful levels, especially for example in providing sterols individually or as a mixture in an artificial dietary composition for honeybees or other insects or animals. For this purpose, an oleaginous yeast, e.g. Yarrowia lipolytica, may be employed wherein the yeast has reduced production of ergosterol compared with a wild-type oleaginous yeast or is incapable of producing ergosterol and is provided with a sterol surrogate to aid growth. From such yeast, however, other yeast may be engineered which retain useful sterol production without need for a sterol surrogate, e.g. production of sterol mixtures in which 24-methylenecholesterol or campesterol is the dominant sterol.

Compositions, methods, and systems for modifying sterol metabolism in a subject is disclosed. In some embodiments, the subjects may be administered one or more mammalian cells modified to express at least one sterol degrading enzyme derived from a bacterium. In many embodiments, the cell is a macrophage or monocyte stably expressing three or more enzymes that aid in opening the ring of cholesterol. The disclosed compositions and methods may be useful in lowering cholesterol levels in a subject in need thereof. In some embodiments, the subject may have a genetic predisposition to atherosclerosis.