Enhancing the bioconversion of phytosterols to steroidal intermediates by the deficiency of kasB in the cell wall synthesis of Mycobacterium neoaurum.

The modification of kasB resulted in a meaningful change in the cell wall mycolic acids. Deletion of the kasB gene remarkably improved the cell permeability, leading to a self-enhancement of the steroidal intermediate conversion. The results showed a high efficiency and feasibility of this construction strategy.