146 independently isolated mutants of the fatty acid synthetase gene locus fas 1 were subdivided into six different complementation groups. Three of these groups, Va, Vb and Vd, have not been described before. The mutant fatty acid synthetases isolated from representatives of complementation group Vb were specifically deficient in two component enzymes at the same time, the malonyl and palmityl transferases. Among more than 180 fas 1 and fas 2 mutants systematically screened for malonyl and palmityl transferase activities no mutant was found affected in only one of these two fatty acid synthetase component enzymes. From this it is concluded that both transfer reactions are catalyzed by the same enzyme. In any malonyl transferase-less fatty acid synthetase, neither of the two known malonyl binding sites, i.e. enzyme-bound pantetheine and the non-thiol binding site, accepts malonate. This indicates that malonate is transferred to both groups by the same enzyme. So far, no acetyl transferase-less fas mutants have been characterized. On the other hand, the mutants of two fas 1 complementation groups, Va and Vd, though negative in overall fatty acid synthetase activity had no deficiency in any of the known component enzymes which can be tested in vitro. A possible interrelationship between both findings is discussed.

• PMID: 1100391
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Journal Article

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Knobling A, Schiffmann D, Sickinger HD, Schweizer E

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