Construction and characterization of a Yarrowia lipolytica mutant lacking genes encoding cytochromes P450 subfamily 52

► A Yarrowia lipolytica mutant deleted in 12 P450ALK genes (Δalk1-12) was constructed. ► Δalk1-12 did not grow on n-alkanes, but grew on their metabolites. ► Δalk1-12 failed to convert n-dodecane to n-dodecanoic acid. ► P450ALKs are indispensable for n-alkane oxidation. ► Transcriptional activation of ALK1 by n-alkane was independent of P450ALKs.