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Temperature Stress
Author(s) -
HARWOOD JOHN L.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
annals of the new york academy of sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.712
H-Index - 248
eISSN - 1749-6632
pISSN - 0077-8923
DOI - 10.1196/annals.1391.025
Subject(s) - yeast , enzyme , fatty acid desaturase , phagocytosis , bacteria , chemistry , polyunsaturated fatty acid , biochemistry , gene , adaptation (eye) , fatty acid , food science , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , genetics , neuroscience
: Acanthamoeba castellanii ( A. castellanii ) is a common soil‐ or water‐borne protozoon that feeds on bacteria by phagocytosis. A. castellanii can grow between 4 and 32°C and has to adapt quickly to chilling in order to survive. We have identified a Δ12‐fatty acid desaturase as key to low temperature adaptation. The activity of this enzyme is mainly increased through gene expression and new protein synthesis. Interestingly, the activity can also be altered independently by dissolved oxygen levels. In addition, we have identified a gene for the Δ12‐desaturase, which, when expressed in yeast, catalyses Δ15‐desaturation also. Moreover, it is also capable of producing very unusual n‐1 polyunsaturated products.