Open AccessDisruption of gene YlODC reveals absolute requirement of polyamines for mycelial development in Yarrowia lipolytica
Author(s) -
JiménezBremont Juan Francisco,
RuizHerrera José,
Dominguez Angel
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
fems yeast research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.991
H-Index - 92
eISSN - 1567-1364
pISSN - 1567-1356
DOI - 10.1111/j.1567-1364.2001.tb00034.x
Subject(s) - yarrowia , biology , mutant , ornithine decarboxylase , biochemistry , ornithine decarboxylase antizyme , putrescine , gene , spermidine , ornithine , complementary dna , microbiology and biotechnology , spermine , amino acid , enzyme , arginine
Polyamines are required for cellular growth and differentiation. In mammals and fungi they are synthesized via a pathway involving ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), which transforms ornithine into putrescine. We have cloned and disrupted the gene coding for ODC in Yarrowia lipolytica to analyze the role of polyamines in dimorphism of this fungus. Substrate‐ and cofactor‐binding motifs, as well as two putative PEST boxes were identified in the amino acid sequence. A single transcript 1.7 kb in size was identified by Northern hybridization, and confirmed by rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). Null mutants lacked ODC activity and behaved as polyamine auxotrophs. When low levels of polyamines were supplied to the null mutant, only yeast‐like, but not mycelial growth was sustained. This phenomenon was confirmed by introduction of the YlODC gene under the control of an inducible promoter into the null mutant.