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Storage lipid synthesis is non-essential in yeast
Line Sandager1, Maria H Gustavsson, Ulf Ståhl
1Department of Crop Science, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 44, S-230 53 Alnarp, Sweden.
The Journal of Biological Chemistry
|December 14, 2001
Summary
Yeast cells store lipids as triacylglycerol (TAG) and steryl esters in lipid bodies. Disrupting four key genes (ARE1, ARE2, DGA1, LRO1) eliminated these lipids and bodies without affecting yeast growth.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Storage lipids, including steryl esters and triacylglycerol (TAG), are crucial in eukaryotic cells.
- In yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), these lipids accumulate in lipid bodies during stationary phase.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the genes involved in yeast storage lipid synthesis.
- To determine the essentiality of TAG, steryl esters, and lipid bodies for yeast growth.
Main Methods:
- Utilized single and multiple gene disruption techniques in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
- Employed fluorescence microscopy to visualize lipid bodies.
Main Results:
- Identified four genes (ARE1, ARE2, DGA1, LRO1) contributing to TAG synthesis, with DGA1 being the most significant.
- ARE1 and ARE2 were also implicated in steryl ester synthesis.
- A quadruple gene deletion strain (lacking all four genes) was viable and showed no growth defects.
- This strain was devoid of TAG, steryl esters, and lipid bodies.
Conclusions:
- Neither storage lipids (TAG and steryl esters) nor lipid bodies are essential for yeast growth under standard conditions.
- DGA1 encodes a novel acyl-CoA:diacylglycerol acyltransferase involved in TAG synthesis.