ISSN:
1432-0983
Keywords:
Key words Fatty acid biosynthesis
;
Filamentous fungi
;
Neurospora crassa
;
Repeat-induced point mutation
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Abstract Neurospora crassacel-2 mutants were isolated following repeat-induced point mutation using part of the gene encoding β-fatty acid synthase. These mutants are phenotypically less leaky than cel-1, which has a defective α-fatty acid synthase. The cel-2 mutant had a strict fatty acid (16:0) requirement for growth, and syn-thesized less fatty acid de novo than cel-1. Unlike cel-1, cel-2 has impaired fertility, and homozygous crosses are infertile, suggesting a low but strict requirement for fatty acid synthesis during sexual development. Like cel-1, cel-2 synthesized unusually high levels of the polyunsaturate 18:3Δ9,12,15, and elongated 18:2Δ9,12 and 18:3Δ9,12,15 to 20:2Δ11,14 and 20:3Δ11,14,17, respectively. These fatty acids are not synthesized by wild-type, except following treatment with cerulenin (a fatty acid synthase inhibitor), demonstrating that inhibition of fatty acid biosynthesis results in a relative increase in both fatty acid desaturation and elongation activity.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s002940050484
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