title: Role of superoxide dismutase in the oxidation of N-alkanes by yeasts.
abstract: Yeast microorganisms from Candida genus are investigated for their superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activity during cultivation on N-alkanes. The later caused a considerable increase of Cu/Zn SOD activity of yeast cells in comparison with glucose. A correlation between SOD and catalase activity existed. It is further observed that cells of Candida lipolytica 68-72 which contain a high level of Cu/Zn SOD were more resistant to lethality of exogenous O2-. An over-production of Cu/Zn SOD during the assimilation of N-alkanes by yeasts is also connected to their considerable resistance to increased concentrations of Cu2+ and Zn2+ ions in the nutrient medium. The results are consistent with the assumption that the enhanced resistance of yeast cells to O2- and high concentrations of Cu2+ and Zn(2+)-ions are due to the increased activity of Cu/Zn SOD and that SOD is involved in the protection of some cellular components. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of Candida lipolytica cell-free extracts revealed the same chromatic bands of SOD activity under growth on glucose and N-alkanes. The type of the carbon source used from yeast cells as a single source of carbon and energy had no influence on the SOD profile of the cell.
authors.affiliation: University of Sofia, Center of Biotechnology, Bul D. Tzankov, Bulgaria.
authors.forename: A V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Kujumdzieva-Savova
authors.forename: V A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Savov
authors.forename: E I
authors.initials: EI
authors.lastname: Georgieva
mesh_terms: D000473:Alkanes / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D002175:Candida / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000254:growth & development; D002374:Catalase / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005609:Free Radicals; D005947:Glucose / Q000494:pharmacology; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000502:physiology*; D013481:Superoxides / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000473:Alkanes; D005609:Free Radicals; D013481:Superoxides; D002374:Catalase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D005947:Glucose