Abstract
The fungal pathway for L-arabinose catabolism converts L-arabinose to D-xylulose 5-phosphate in five steps. The intermediates are, in this order: L-arabinitol, L-xylulose, xylitol and D-xylulose. Only some of the genes for the corresponding enzymes were known. We have recently identified the two missing genes for L-arabinitol 4-dehydrogenase and L-xylulose reductase and shown that overexpression of all the genes of the pathway in Saccharomyces cerevisiae enables growth on L-arabinose. Under anaerobic conditions ethanol is produced from L-arabinose, but at a very low rate. The reasons for the low rate of L-arabinose fermentation are discussed.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 185-189 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | FEMS Yeast Research |
Volume | 3 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Apr 2003 |
MoE publication type | A1 Journal article-refereed |
Keywords
- L-Arabinitol 4-dehydrogenase
- L-Arabinose
- L-Xylulose reductase
- Pentose fermentation
- Saccharomyces cerevisiae