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Aspergillus nidulans contains six possible fatty acyl-CoA synthetases with FaaB being the major synthetase for fatty acid degradation

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Abstract

Aspergillus nidulans can use a variety of fatty acids as sole carbon and energy sources via its peroxisomal and mitochondrial β-oxidation pathways. Prior to channelling the fatty acids into β-oxidation, they need to be activated to their acyl-CoA derivates. Analysis of the genome sequence identified a number of possible fatty acyl-CoA synthetases (FatA, FatB, FatC, FatD, FaaA and FaaB). FaaB was found to be the major long-chain synthetase for fatty acid degradation. FaaB was shown to localise to the peroxisomes, and the corresponding gene was induced in the presence of short and long chain fatty acids. Deletion of the faaB gene leads to a reduced/abolished growth on a variety of fatty acids. However, at least one additional fatty acyl-CoA synthetase with a preference for short chain fatty acids and a potential mitochondrial candidate (AN4659.3) has been identified via genome analysis.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the Australian Research Council.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Genetics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia

    Kathrin Reiser, Meryl A. Davis & Michael J. Hynes

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  1. Kathrin Reiser
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  2. Meryl A. Davis
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  3. Michael J. Hynes
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Correspondence to Michael J. Hynes.

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Communicated by Erko Stackebrandt.

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Reiser, K., Davis, M.A. & Hynes, M.J. Aspergillus nidulans contains six possible fatty acyl-CoA synthetases with FaaB being the major synthetase for fatty acid degradation. Arch Microbiol 192, 373–382 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00203-010-0565-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00203-010-0565-9

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