The induction of cytochrome P-450 in Lodderomyces elongisporus

In the alkane-utilizing yeast strain Lodderomyces elongisporus cytochrome P-450 is induced by aliphatic hydrocarbons and to a lesser degree also by some of their derivatives. Cycloheximide and glucose inhibit the induction process, the former by inhibition of cytoplasmic translation, the latter presumably by catabolite repression. Among the nearly 40 checked compounds tetradecane and 1-tetradecene are the most effective inducers. The branching of the alkyl chain as well as the terminal introduction of electrophilic atoms decrease the induction effect.