Method for increasing production of isoprenoid compounds

Method for producing an isoprenoid or isoprenoid precursor via the mevalonate pathway in Escherichia coli, the method comprising: (i) culturing in a suitable medium an E. coli genetically modified to produce hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) synthase (HMGS) and heterologous HMG-CoA reductase (HMGR) heterologous, and wherein the E. coli cell is genetically modified genetically modified further to produce one or more additional heterologous enzymes mevalonate pathway selected from: (a) one acetoacetylCoA thiolase; (B) mevalonate kinase; (C) phosphomevalonate kinase; and (d) a mevalonate pyrophosphate decarboxylase; wherein in the absence of said HMGR heterologous levels HMG-CoA produced in the cell are toxic to the cell, and wherein the relative level of HMGR activity in the cell produced genetically engineered E. coli is higher the relative level of activity of HMGS produced in the cell of genetically engineered E. coli, so that the level of HMG-CoA present in the cell is not toxic to said cell and / or substantially inhibits cell growth; and (ii) recovering the isoprenoid or isoprenoid precursor produced.