Cloning and characterization of the Dictyostelium discoideum cycloartenol synthase cDNA

Sharotka M. Godzina, Martha A. Lovato, Michelle M. Meyer, Kimberly A. Foster, William K. Wilson, Wei Gu, Eugenio L. De Hostos, Seiichi P.T. Matsuda

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

28 Scopus citations

Abstract

Cycloartenol synthase converts oxidosqualene to cycloartenol, the first carbocyclic intermediate en route to sterols in plants and many protists. Presented here is the first cycloartenol synthase gene identified from a protist, the cellular slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum. The cDNA encodes an 81-kDa predicted protein 50-52% identical to known higher plant cycloartenol synthases and 40-49% identical to known lanosterol synthases from fungi and mammals. The encoded protein expressed in transgenic Sacchacomyces cerevisiae converted synthetic oxidosqualene to cycloartenol in vitro. This product was characterized by 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The predicted protein sequence diverges sufficiently from the known cycloartenol synthase sequences to dramatically reduce the number of residues that are candidates for the catalytic difference between cycloartenol and lanosterol formation.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)249-255
Number of pages7
JournalLipids
Volume35
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 2000

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Cell Biology

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