The expression pattern, subcellular localization and function of three sterol 14α-demethylases in Aspergillus oryzae

Sterol 14α-demethylase catalyzes lanosterol hydroxylation, which is one of the key reactions in the biosynthetic pathway of sterols. There is only one sterol 14α-demethylases gene named in genome. In this study, three sterol 14α-demethylases genes named and were identified in genome through bioinformatics analysis. The function of these three genes were studied by yeast complementation, and the expression pattern/subcellular localization of these genes/proteins were detected. The results showed that the three were expressed differently at different growth times and under different abiotic stresses. All of the three proteins were located in endoplasmic reticulum. The could not restore the temperature-sensitive phenotype of mutant. Overexpression of the three affected both growth and sporulation, which may be due to the effect of on ergosterol content. Therefore, this study revealed the functions of three and their effects on the growth and ergosterol biosynthesis of , which may contribute to the further understanding of the ergosterol biosynthesis and regulation mechanism in this important filamentous fungus, .