Identification of a sterol mutant of Neurospora crassa deficient in delta 14,15-reductase activity.
A mutant (erg-3) of Neurospora crassa resistant to the polyene antibiotic nystatin was compared with its sensitive, wild-type parent to detect differences in sterol composition using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The major sterol in wild-type mycelia, comprising 80% of the total, was ergosterol. The major sterols in mutant mycelia, comprising 86% of the total, were delta 8,14-sterols. It is proposed that the nystatin-resistant strain is unable to synthesize ergosterol because it lacks delta 14,15-reductase activity as a result of a mutation in the erg-3 gene.
Ellis
S W
SW
Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Sheffield, UK.
Rose
M E
ME
Grindle
M
M
D004875:Ergosterol / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000737:chemistry; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D015394:Molecular Structure; D009154:Mutation; D009492:Neurospora crassa / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D010088:Oxidoreductases / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics*
D010088:Oxidoreductases; C022672:delta(14)-sterol reductase; D004875:Ergosterol