Isolation and sequence analysis of the orotidine-5'-phosphate decarboxylase gene (URA3) of Candida utilis. Comparison with the OMP decarboxylase gene family

The URA3 gene of Candida utilis encoding orotidine-5′-phosphate decarboxylase enzyme was isolated by complementation in Escherichia coli pyrF mutation. The deduced amino-acid sequence is highly similar to that of the Ura3 proteins from other yeast and fungal species. An extensive analysis of the family of orotidine-5′-phosphate decarboxylase is shown. The URA3 gene of C. utilis was able to complement functionally the ura3 mutation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The sequence presented here has been deposited in the EMBL data library under Accession Number Y12660. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Isolation and sequence of the MIG1 homologue from the yeast Candida utilis

The Mig1p repressor from the food yeast Candida utilis has been isolated using a homologous PCR hybridization probe. This probe was amplified with two sets of degenerate primers designed on the basis of highly conserved motifs in the DNA-binding region (zinc-finger domain) from yeast Mig1p and fungi CreA repressors. The cloned gene was sequenced and found to encode a polypeptide of 345 amino acids which shows significant identity with other yeast and fungus repressors in the DNA-binding domain and also with the yeast Mig1 proteins in the C-terminal region (effector domain). The MIG1 repressor gene from C. utilis was able to complement functionally the mig1 mutation of S. cerevisiae. The sequence presented here has been deposited in the EMBL data library under Accession No. AJ277830.     

Isolation and structural analysis of efficient autonomously replicating sequences (ARSs) of the yeast Candida utilis

The industrially important yeast Candida utilis is widely used in production of food and medical materials, but its host-vector system has not been well developed. We screened for compact and efficient ARSs to construct practically useful vectors. The C. utilis strain AHU3053 was found to be efficiently transformed by the conventional lithium acetate method and was used as the host. The C. utilis IAM4264 genomic library was constructed by inserting the partial Sau3AI digests in pRI51, which has a kanMX gene expressible in C. utilis. By examining 98 C. utilis G418-resistant transformants, five plasmids had the highest ARS activity. By trimming of the inserts, the 1490 and 552 bp fragments with transformation activity of over 10(3)/microg DNA were obtained from ARS3 and ARS4, respectively. Although several sequences identical to S. cerevisiae ARS consensus sequences (ACSs) were found in ARS3 and ARS4, our deletion analysis indicated that these were not essential for the activity. Because the minimal functional ARS fragment was also several-fold larger than that of S. cerevisiae, the C. utilis ARSs have some unique characteristics resembling the Sz. pombe ARSs. These ARSs were functional in other C. utilis strains tested and useful for constructing practical vectors.     

The role of pyruvate decarboxylase in the Kluyver effect in the food yeast,Candida utilis

The glucose-fermenting yeast, Candida utilis cannot use the β-D -glucoside, cellobiose, anaerobically, although it is able to do so aerobically. β-Glucoside transport and hydrolysis and pyruvate decarboxylase activities of this yeast were measured aerobically and anaerobically. β-Glucoside transport was five-fold faster aerobically than anaerobically, but there was no corresponding difference in β-glucosidase activity. Pyruvate decarboxylase activity varied greatly, being synthesized de novo in response to the presence of D -glucose and anaerobic conditions and about 50% deactivated on the removal of D -glucose or the addition of air. Activation and deactivation were rapidly reversible. Failure to utilize cellobiose anaerobically, in particular, and the Kluyver effect, in general, probably depends on much reduced glycolytic flux, associated under anaerobic conditions, with (i) lower transport rate, (ii) low substrate affinity of the relevant glycosidase and (iii) deactivation of pyruvate decarboxylase. So, in addition to the complex effects of oxygen, anaerobiosis and specific sugars on induction, repression and derepression, there are fine controls on pyruvate decarboxylase activity, leading to fast activation or deactivation of the enzyme.     

Cloning, sequencing and application of the LEU2 gene from the sour dough yeast Candida milleri

We have cloned by complementation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and sequenced a LEU2 gene from the sour dough yeast Candida milleri CBS 8195 and studied its chromosomal location. The LEU2 coding sequence was 1092 nt long encoding a putative beta-isopropylmalate dehydrogenase protein of 363 amino acids. The nucleotide sequence in the coding region had 71.6% identity to S. cerevisiae LEU2 sequence. On the protein level, the identity of C. milleri Leu2p to S. cerevisiae Leu2p was 84.1%. The CmLEU2 DNA probe hybridized to one to three chromosomal bands and two or three BamHI restriction fragments in C. milleri but did not give any signal to chromosomes or restriction fragments of C. albicans, S. cerevisiae, S. exiguus or Torulaspora delbrueckii. Using CmLEU2 probe for DNA hybridization makes it easy to quickly identify C. milleri among other sour dough yeasts.     

Cloning and analysis of CoEXG1, a secreted 1,3-beta-glucanase of the yeast biocontrol agent Candida oleophila

Lytic enzymes may have a role in the biological control of fungi. The yeast biocontrol agent, Candida oleophila, is an excellent subject to research this matter. In the present study, CoEXG1, which encodes for a secreted 1,3-beta-glucanase, is the first gene to be cloned from C. oleophila. It was isolated from a partial genomic library and analysed. Its open reading frame and putative promoter were expressed in baker's yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The reading frame, expressed under the inducible GAL1 promoter, caused an increased secretion of beta-glucanase, and the putative promoter region activated the lacZ reporter gene, to which it was fused. Sequencing analysis revealed that CoEXG1 carries the signature pattern of the 5 glycohydrolases family and has a putative secretion leader, as well as a high degree of identity to yeast 1,3-beta-glucanases. The GenBank Accession No. of CoEXG1 is AF393806.     

Isolation and sequence analysis of the gene encoding translation elongation factor 3 from Candida albicans.

The structural gene encoding translation elongation factor 3 (EF-3) has been cloned from a Candida albicans genomic library by hybridization to a Saccharomyces cerevisiae probe containing the Saccharomyces gene, YEF3 (Sandbaken et al., 1990b). The sequences were shown to be functionally homologous to the Saccharomyces gene by three criteria: (1) a Saccharomyces strain transformed with a high copy plasmid containing CaEF3 sequences overproduces the EF-3 peptide two-fold; (2) extracts from this strain exhibit a two-fold increase in the EF-3-catalysed, ribosome-dependent ATPase activity (Kamath and Chakraburtty, 1988); and (3) the Candida gene complements a Saccharomyces null mutant. The coding region, identified by DNA sequencing, indicates that CaEF3 encodes a 1050 amino acid polypeptide having a potential molecular weight of 116,865 Da. This protein shows 77% overall identity to the Saccharomyces YEF3 gene, with a significantly greater identity (94%) concentrated in the region of the protein thought to contain the catalytic domain of EF-3 (Sandbaken et al., 1990a). The upstream non-coding region contains T-rich regions typical of many yeast genes and several potential RAP1/GRF1 elements shown to regulate expression of a number of translational genes (Mager, 1988). The data confirm a high degree of conservation for EF-3 among the two organisms.     

A comparative study on the transport of L(-)malic acid and other short-chain carboxylic acids in the yeast Candida utilis: Evidence for a general organic acid permease

Cells of the yeast Candida utilis grown in medium with short-chain mono-, di- or tricarboxylic acids transported L(-)malic acid by two transport systems at pH 3·0. Results indicate that probably a proton symport for the ionized form of the acid and a facilitated diffusion for the undissociated form were present. Dicarboxylic acids such as succinic, fumaric, oxaloacetic and α-ketoglutaric acids were competitive inhibitors of the malic acid for the high-affinity system, suggesting that these acids used the same transport system. In turn, competitive inhibition uptake studies of labelled carboxylic acid in the low-affinity range indicated that this system was non-specific and able to accept not only carboxylic (mono-, di- or tri-) acids but also some amino acids. Additionally, under the same growth conditions, C. utilis produced two mediated transport systems for lactic acid: a proton symport for the anionic form which appeared to be a common monocarboxylate carrier and a facilitated diffusion system for the undissociated acid displaying a substrate specificity similar to that observed for the low-affinity dicarboxylic acid transport. The mediated carboxylic acid transport systems were inducible and subjected to repression by glucose. In glucose-grown cells the undissociated dicarboxylic acids entered the cells slowly by simple diffusion. Repressed glucose-grown cells were only able to produce both transport systems if an inducer, at low concentration (0·5%, w/v), was present during starvation in buffer. This process was inhibited by the presence of cycloheximide indicating that induction requires de novo protein synthesis. If a higher acid concentration was used, only the low-affinity transport system was detectable, showing that the high-affinity system was also repressed by high concentrations of the inducer.     

Cloning of a centromere binding factor 3d (CBF3D) gene from Candida glabrata

The gene encoding centromere binding factor 3d (CBF3D) of the human pathogenic yeast Candida glabrata has been isolated by hybridization of Saccharomyces cerevisiae CBF3D (ScCBF3D) DNA to a C. glabrata partial genomic library. Sequence analysis revealed a 540 bp open reading frame encoding a protein of 179 amino acids with a calculated molecular mass of 20·9 kDa. The amino acid sequence is highly homologous (78·6% identity) to ScCbf3d and 48·3% identical to the human homologue p19 (SKP1). Southern blot analysis indicates that CgCbf3d is encoded by an unique nuclear gene. The cloned CgCBF3D gene can functionally substitute the S. cerevisiae homologue in a S. cerevisiae CBF3D‐deletion mutant. The GenBank Accession No. for this gene is AF 072472. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Isolation and expression of the gene encoding mitochondrial ADP/ATP carrier (AAC) from the pathogenic yeast Candida parapsilosis

A gene homologous to Saccharomyces cerevisiae AAC genes coding for mitochondrial ADP/ATP carriers has been cloned from the pathogenic yeast Candida parapsilosis. A probe obtained by PCR amplification from C. parapsilosis DNA, using primers derived from the conserved transmembrane region of yeast ADP/ATP carriers, was used for screening of the C. parapsilosis genomic library. The cloned gene was sequenced and found to encode a polypeptide of 303 amino acids that shows homology with other yeast and fungal mitochondrial ADP/ATP carriers. The gene was designated CpAAC1 and was able to complement the growth phenotypes of S. cerevisiae double deletion mutant (Δaac2; Δaac3). The expression of the CpAAC1 gene was reduced under semi‐anaerobic conditions and it was affected at normal aerobic conditions by the nature of carbon sources used for growth. Hybridization experiments indicate that C. parapsilosis possesses a single gene encoding a mitochondrial ADP/ATP carrier. The GenBank Accession No. for the C. parapsilosis CpAAC1 gene is AF085429. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Yeast sequencing reports. Gcs1, a gene encoding γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe

By complementation of a mutant resistant to N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) we have identified the gcs1 gene, encoding a putative γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase. The gene is possibly interrupted by two introns and has 49% identical and 80% similar amino acids compared with the homologous protein from rat. In comparison with the Saccharomyces cerevisiae homologue it possesses 41% identical and 74% similar amino acids. The gsc1 sequence appears in the EMBL database under Accession Number X 85017.     

Isolation of a gene encoding a G protein α subunit involved in the regulation of cAMP levels in the yeast Kluyveromyces lactis

Using chromosomal DNA from Kluyveromyces lactis as template and oligodeoxynucleotides designed from conserved regions of various G protein alpha subunits we were able to amplify by the polymerase chain reaction two products of approximately 0·5 kb (P-1) and 0·8 kb (P-2). Sequencing showed that these two fragments share high homology with genes coding for the Gα subunits from different sources. Using the P-1 fragment as a probe we screened a genomic library from K. lactis and we cloned a gene (KlGPA2) whose deduced amino acid sequence showed, depending on the exact alignment, 62% similarity and 38% identity with Gpa1p and 76% similarity and 63% identity with Gpa2p, the G protein α subunits from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. KlGPA2 is a single-copy gene and its disruption rendered viable cells with significantly reduced cAMP level, indicating that this Gα subunit may be involved in regulating the adenylyl cyclase activity, rather than participating in the mating pheromone response pathway. KlGpa2p shares some structural similarities with members of the mammalian Gαs family (stimulatory of adenylyl cyclase) including the absence in its N-terminus of a myristoyl-modification sequence. The sequence reported in this paper has been deposited in the GenBank data base (Accession No. L45105).     

Molecular cloning and sequence analysis of the Zygosaccharomyces rouxiiLEU2 gene encoding a beta-isopropylmalate dehydrogenase.

A DNA fragment carrying the LEU2 gene of osmotolerant yeast Zygosaccharomyces rouxii was isolated. The sequenced DNA fragment (2630 bp) contained two ORFs; one of them (1086 bp long, predicting a protein of 362 amino acids) shared a high degree of similarity with LEU2 genes of other yeast species. The cloned DNA fragment fully complemented the leu2 mutations of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Z. rouxii.     

Molecular cloning and DNA analysis of a gene encoding alpha mating pheromone from the yeast Saccharomyces naganishii

A DNA fragment encoding the precursor peptide for alpha mating pheromone was isolated from the S. naganishii genome based on the amino acid sequence of the mature pheromone. The precursor peptide contains three copies of the pheromone. Hydrophobicity analysis of the precursor peptide revealed an N-terminal signal sequence for translocation into the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum and several signals for a series of secretion-related processes. However, upstream regulatory sequences necessary for expression of the S. cerevisiae alpha mating pheromone gene were not found, suggesting the divergence of systems that regulate alpha mating pheromone gene expression in S. naganishii and S. cerevisiae. Hybridization of a probe corresponding to the S. naganishii alpha mating pheromone nucleotide sequence to S. naganishii chromosomal DNA revealed a single gene located on either chromosome VI or VII. The S. naganishii alpha mating pheromone sequence has been deposited in the DDBJ/EMBL/GenBank data library under Accession No. AB086431.     

Cloning, characterization and functionality of the orotidine-5'-phosphate decarboxylase gene (URA3) of the glycolipid-producing yeast Candida bombicola

Candida bombicola is a yeast species known to synthesize glycolipids. Although these glycolipids find several industrial, cosmetic and pharmaceutical applications, very little is known about the genetics of C. bombicola. A basic tool for genetic study and modification is the availability of an efficient transformation and selection system. In order to develop such a system, the URA3 gene of Candida bombicola was isolated using degenerate PCR and genomic walking. The gene encodes for an enzyme of 262 amino acids and shows high homology with the known orotidine-5'-phosphate decarboxylases of several other yeast species. The functionality of the gene was proved by complementation of a URA3-negative Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain.     

Isolation and sequence analysis of the gene URA3 encoding the orotidine-5'-phosphate decarboxylase from Candida glycerinogenes WL2002-5, an industrial glycerol producer

The URA3 gene of Candida glycerinogenes WL2002-5, an industrial glycerol producer encoding orotidine-5'-phosphate decarboxylase enzyme, was isolated by complementation cloning in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. DNA sequence analysis revealed the presence of an open reading frame (ORF) of 786 bp, encoding a 262 amino acid protein, which shares 71.65% amino acid sequence similarity to the S. cerevisiae URA3 protein. Furthermore, the cloned ORF fully complemented the ura3 mutation of S. cerevisiae, confirming that it encodes for the C. glycerinogenes Ura3 (CgUra3) protein.