Total fatty acid content of the plasma membrane of Saccharomyces cerevisiae is more responsible for ethanol tolerance than the degree of unsaturation.
The effect of change in unsaturated fatty acid composition on ethanol tolerance in Saccharomyces cerevisiae overexpressing ScOLE1 (∆9 fatty acid desaturase gene of S. cerevisiae), CaFAD2 (∆12 fatty acid desaturase gene of Candida albicans), or CaFAD3 (ω3 fatty acid desaturase gene of C. albicans) was examined. ScOLE1 over-expression increased the total unsaturated fatty acid content and enhanced ethanol tolerance, compared with a control strain. In contrast, overexpression of CaFAD2 and CaFAD3, which led to production of linoleic acid (18:2) and α-linolenic acid (18:3), respectively, neither changed total unsaturated fatty acids nor enhanced ethanol tolerance. The total unsaturated fatty acid content rather than the degree of unsaturation is thus an important factor for ethanol tolerance.
Department of Life Science, College of Natural Sciences, Ewha Womans University, 11-1, Daehyun-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 120-750, South Korea.
Hyun-Soo
HS
Kim
Na-Rae
NR
Kim
Wonja
W
Choi
D015152:Blotting, Northern; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D002853:Chromatography, Liquid; D000431:Ethanol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D044943:Fatty Acid Desaturases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D000431:Ethanol; D044943:Fatty Acid Desaturases