Patent ID: 8871488

Claim:
A recombinant host cell comprising: (i) at least one genetic modification in an endogenous gene encoding a polypeptide having pyruvate decarboxylase activity, wherein the at least one genetic modification reduces or eliminates pyruvate decarboxylase activity; (ii) a heterologous polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide having phosphoketolase activity; and (iii) a pyruvate-utilizing biosynthetic pathway, wherein said pyruvate-utilizing biosynthetic pathway is an isobutanol biosynthetic pathway comprising the substrate to product conversions: (a) pyruvate to acetolactate; (b) acetolactate to 2,3-dihydroxyisovalerate; (c) 2,3-dihydroxyisovalerate to 2-ketoisovalerate; (d) 2-ketoisovalerate to isobutyraldehyde; and (e) isobutyraldehyde to isobutanol; and wherein said recombinant host cell produces isobutanol.