Characterization of a farnesyl diphosphate synthase gene from Penicillium brevicompactum MUCL 19011

OBJECTIVES: Farnesyl diphosphate synthase is a critical enzyme in the isoprenoids biosynthesis pathway responsible for ergosterol and secondary metabolites biosynthesis in fungi. RESULTS: Characterization of fds from Penicillium brevicompactum (Pbfds) was performed using TAIL-PCR and RT-PCR followed by complementation tests in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and determination of its expression profile by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Promoter analysis suggests some binding sites for transcription factors some of which are involved in fungal growth and response to environmental stress. The Pbfds ORF encodes a cytosolic 39.7 kDa protein with a high conservation among Eurotiomycetes and the highest identity (96 %) with Pen. chrysogenum. Homology-based structural modeling suggests that the PbFDS is formed by the arrangement of 15 core helices around a large central cavity where the catalytic reaction takes place. Superimposition of the predicted 3D structure of the enzyme on its ortholog in human reveals the same folding pattern in the counterparts. CONCLUSION: The Pbfds expression may be stimulated in response to the environmental stresses and fungal growth and encodes the PBFDS—a cytosolic enzyme which with a key role in ergosterol and secondary metabolites biosynthesis.