Identification and functional characterization of the CYP51 gene from the yeast Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous that is involved in ergosterol biosynthesis
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2015Metadata
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Leiva, Kritsye
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Identification and functional characterization of the CYP51 gene from the yeast Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous that is involved in ergosterol biosynthesis
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Abstract
Background: Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous is a basidiomycetous yeast that synthesizes astaxanthin, a carotenoid
with great biotechnological impact. The ergosterol and carotenoid synthetic pathways derive from the mevalonate
pathway and involve cytochrome P450 enzymes. Among these enzymes, the CYP51 family, which is involved in
ergosterol biosynthesis, is one of the most remarkable that has C14-demethylase activity.
Results: In this study, the CYP51 gene from X. dendrorhous was isolated and its function was analyzed. The gene is
composed of ten exons and encodes a predicted 550 amino acid polypeptide that exhibits conserved cytochrome
P450 structural characteristics and shares significant identity with the sterol C14-demethylase from other fungi. The
functionality of this gene was confirmed by heterologous complementation in S. cerevisiae. Furthermore, a CYP51
gene mutation in X. dendrorhous reduced sterol production by approximately 40% and enhanced total carotenoid
production by approximately 90% compared to the wild-type strain after 48 and 120 h of culture, respectively.
Additionally, the CYP51 gene mutation in X. dendrorhous increased HMGR (hydroxy-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase,
involved in the mevalonate pathway) and crtR (cytochrome P450 reductase) transcript levels, which could be associated
with reduced ergosterol production.
Conclusions: These results suggest that the CYP51 gene identified in X. dendrorhous encodes a functional sterol
C14-demethylase that is involved in ergosterol biosynthesis.
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Fondecyt 11121200
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BMC Microbiology (2015) 15:89
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