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Oxygen-induced expression of ∆6-, ∆9- and ∆12-desaturase genes modulates fatty acid composition in Mucor rouxii

  • Applied Microbial and Cell Physiology
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Abstract

The effect of oxygen availability on the molecular mechanisms of fatty acid biosynthesis was investigated in Mucor rouxii, a Mucorale fungus capable of producing γ-linolenic acid through perturbation of the gaseous environment. Shifting of the M. rouxii culture from anaerobic to aerobic conditions resulted in an increase of the biomass and total fatty acid content of the M. rouxii culture. In addition, the levels of unsaturated fatty acids were enhanced accompanied by a decrease in the levels of medium- and long-chain saturated fatty acids. These results correspond to the levels of expressions of the ∆9-, ∆12- and ∆6-desaturases genes, all of which were coordinately up-regulated after the shift. The transcriptional response observed was rapid and transient, with the maximal mRNA levels detected between 0.5 h and 1.0 h after the shift. Together, our findings indicate that the anaerobic M. rouxii culture acclimatised to oxygen exposure by modulating fatty acid composition that was transcriptionally co-regulated by the ∆9-, ∆12- and ∆6-desaturase genes.

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Acknowledgements

This work was funded by a grant (BT-B-02-NG-B5-4905) from National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), Thailand. Rawisara Ruenwai was supported by the Thailand Graduate Institute of Science and Technology (TGIST), NSTDA. We thank Associate Professor Yuwapin Dandusitapunth for her valuable comments.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Bioresources and Technology, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, Bangkhuntien, Bangkok, 10150, Thailand

    Rawisara Ruenwai, Supapon Cheevadhanarak & Sansanalak Rachdawong

  2. Pilot Plant Development and Training Institute, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, Bangkhuntien, Bangkok, 10150, Thailand

    Supapon Cheevadhanarak

  3. Biochemical Engineering and Pilot Plant Research and Development Unit, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, National Sciences and Technology Development Agency at King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, Bangkhuntien, Bangkok, 10150, Thailand

    Morakot Tanticharoen & Kobkul Laoteng

  4. Biochemical Engineering and Pilot Plant Research and Development Unit, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, Bangkhuntien, Bangkok, 10150, Thailand

    Kobkul Laoteng

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  1. Rawisara Ruenwai
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  2. Supapon Cheevadhanarak
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  3. Sansanalak Rachdawong
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  5. Kobkul Laoteng
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Correspondence to Kobkul Laoteng.

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Ruenwai, R., Cheevadhanarak, S., Rachdawong, S. et al. Oxygen-induced expression of ∆6-, ∆9- and ∆12-desaturase genes modulates fatty acid composition in Mucor rouxii . Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 86, 327–334 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-009-2338-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-009-2338-4

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