Open AccessPolymorphism in the lipase genes of Geotrichum candidum strains
Author(s) -
BERTOLINI Maria Célia,
LARAMÉE Louise,
THOMAS David Y.,
CYGLER Miroslaw,
SCHRAG Joseph D.,
VERNET Thierry
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
european journal of biochemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1432-1033
pISSN - 0014-2956
DOI - 10.1111/j.1432-1033.1994.tb19921.x
Subject(s) - geotrichum , lipase , gene , biology , biochemistry , triacylglycerol lipase , sequence analysis , gene isoform , molecular cloning , enzyme , microbiology and biotechnology , peptide sequence
The fungus Geotrichum candidum produces extracellular lipases. Purification and characterization of different lipase isoforms from various G. candidum strains is difficult due to the close physical and biochemical properties of the isoforms. Consequently, the characterization of these enzymes and their substrate specificites has been difficult. We have determined the lipase genes present in four strains of G. candidum (ATCC 34614, NRCC 205002, NRRL Y‐552 and NRRL Y‐553) by molecular cloning and DNA sequencing. Each strain contains two genes similar to the previously identified lipase I and lipase II cDNAs. Our data suggest that no other related lipase genes are present in these strains. Each lipase‐gene family shows sequence variation (polymorphism) that is confirmed by Southern‐blot analysis. This polymorphism and the sequence differences between lipase I and lipase II have been localized within the previously determined three‐dimensional structure of lipase II. Although most of the amino acid substitutions are located on the protein surface, some are present in structural features possibly involved in determining substrate specificity.