MYCOLab Ai Logo - gold and army green

Expression pattern, subcellular localization of Aspergillus oryzae ergosterol synthases, and their effects on ergosterol and fatty acid metabolism

Summary

Researchers studied how Aspergillus oryzae fungi make ergosterol, a key ingredient in fungal cell membranes. They found that this process is much more complex in this mold than in baker’s yeast, with 49 genes involved. By selectively increasing expression of specific genes, they were able to boost ergosterol production by up to 2.3 times, which could have applications in producing fungal-derived medicines and improving fermented foods.

Background

Ergosterol is a critical component of fungal cell membranes that regulates fluidity, permeability, and material transport. The ergosterol biosynthesis pathway in Aspergillus oryzae is more complex than in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, involving 49 enzymes and 25 reactions. Understanding the expression patterns and subcellular localization of ergosterol synthases is essential for genetic engineering applications.

Objective

This study systematically analyzed the expression pattern and subcellular localization of A. oryzae ergosterol synthases and investigated their effects on ergosterol and fatty acid metabolism through overexpression and co-overexpression strategies.

Results

Ergosterol synthase genes were differentially expressed across growth stages and distributed across eight chromosomes. Mevalonate biosynthesis enzymes localized to peroxisomes and cytoplasm, farnesyl-PP enzymes to peroxisomes and cytoplasm, and ergosterol synthesis enzymes to endoplasmic reticulum and lipid droplets. Ergosterol content was highest in AoHmgB-OE strains and lowest in AoHmgA-OE strains, while co-overexpression of specific genes increased ergosterol content up to 2.3 times control levels.

Conclusion

The study provides comprehensive characterization of ergosterol biosynthesis enzyme localization and function in A. oryzae, laying a scientific foundation for genetic engineering to enhance ergosterol production in fungi. Different subcellular localization of enzyme paralogs contributes to functional diversity and pathway regulation.
  • Published in:Applied and Environmental Microbiology,
  • Study Type:Experimental Research,
  • Source: 10.1128/aem.02273-24, PMID: 40035600
Scroll to Top