title: Localization of the pathway of the penicillin biosynthesis in Penicillium chrysogenum.
abstract: The localization of the enzymes involved in penicillin biosynthesis in Penicillium chrysogenum hyphae has been studied by immunological detection methods in combination with electron microscopy and cell fractionation. The results suggest a complicated pathway involving different intracellular locations. The enzyme delta-(L-alpha-aminoadipyl)-L-cysteinyl-D-valine synthetase was found to be associated with membranes or small organelles. The next enzyme isopenicillin N-synthetase appeared to be a cytosolic enzyme. The enzyme which is involved in the last step of penicillin biosynthesis, acyltransferase, was located in organelles with a diameter of 200-800 nm. These organelles, most probably, are microbodies. A positive correlation was found between the capacity for penicillin production and the number of organelles per cell when comparing different P. chrysogenum strains.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell Biology, State University of Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: W H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Müller
authors.forename: T P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: van der Krift
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Krouwer
authors.forename: H A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Wösten
authors.forename: L H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: van der Voort
authors.forename: E B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Smaal
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Verkleij
mesh_terms: D000217:Acyltransferases / Q000032:analysis*; D002458:Cell Fractionation / Q000379:methods; D003600:Cytosol / Q000201:enzymology; D015151:Immunoblotting; D016253:Microscopy, Immunoelectron; D008970:Molecular Weight; D015388:Organelles / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010088:Oxidoreductases / Q000032:analysis*; D010406:Penicillins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D010408:Penicillium chrysogenum / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010453:Peptide Synthases / Q000032:analysis*; D014461:Ultracentrifugation / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D010406:Penicillins; D010088:Oxidoreductases; C038370:isopenicillin N synthetase; D000217:Acyltransferases; D010453:Peptide Synthases; C095368:alpha-aminoadipyl-cysteinyl-valine synthetase