ISSN:
0749-503X
Keywords:
Peroxisomes
;
oleic acid
;
β-oxidation
;
membrane proliferation
;
Hansenula polymorpha
;
Life and Medical Sciences
;
Genetics
Source:
Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
We studied the physiological responses of Hansenula polymorpha during adaptation of cells to oleic acid-containing media. Growth experiments indicated that the organism was unable to use oleic acid as the sole source of carbon and energy. However, upon incubation of glucose-grown cells in mineral media containing oleic acid, activities of various enzymes of the β-oxidation pathway were induced. These enzymes were localized in microbodies together with alcohol oxidase. Furthermore, a drastic increase in phospholipid content of the cells was observed; this was due to a rapid proliferation of membranes. These consisted of a variable number of membranous layers which were continuous with the peroxisomal membrane. Upon continued incubation, the membrane proliferations extended and large compartments were formed. This process was dependent on the presence of peroxisomes in the cells since it was not observed in peroxisome-deficient mutant strains of H. polymorpha. The newly formed membranous compartments differed from peroxisomes since they did not contain peroxisomal matrix proteins; these were confined to the single enlarged organelle which was incorporated in the membranous structure and characterized by a large alcohol oxidase crystalloid. The membranous compartments are considered to be whole entities since they could not be separated from the peroxisomes by common cell fraction methods; also they were degraded entirely after a shift of cells to glucose-excess condition.Freeze fracturing reveled that the substructure of the membranes greatly resembled that of normal peroxisomal membranes. Since a distinct enhancement of different peroxisomal membrane proteins was observed during the initial hours after the shift, we assume that exposure of H. polymorpha to acid lead to a drastic overproduction of peroxisomal membranes.
Additional Material:
12 Ill.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/yea.320060608
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