Functional characterization of the oxaloacetase encoding gene and elimination of oxalate formation in the β-lactam producer Penicillium chrysogenum

► Pc22g24830/PcoahA encodes oxaloacetase activity in Penicillium chrysogenum. ► PcoahA is negatively regulated by phenylacetate. ► Expression of PcoahA in yeast demonstrates its sufficiency for oxaloacetase activity. ► Deletion of PcoahA leads to elimination of oxalate production in P. chrysogenum. ► PcoahA deletion affects positively synthesis of cephalosporin intermediate ad-6-APA.