Biomaterial Database

Direct selection of galactokinase-negative mutants of Candida albicans using 2-deoxy-galactose. 1992

J A Gorman, and J W Gorman, and Y Koltin

Department of Gene Expression Sciences, Smithkline Beecham, King of Prussia, PA 19406.

The galactose analogue 2-deoxy-galactose (2DG) has been widely used to select for mutations in the gene encoding the galactose pathway enzyme galactokinase (GalK). We have tested the effect of 2DG on Candida albicans to see if it could be used to obtain GalK- mutants in this diploid asexual yeast. 2DG was shown to be toxic to wild-type cells. Enzyme assays demonstrated that 2DG can induce GalK as efficiently as galactose. Examination of the initial rate of galactose uptake indicated that the galactose transport system is constitutive. 2DG-resistant mutants were isolated from mutagenized cultures and shown to have very low levels of GalK activity. The potential genetic applications of this system of direct mutant selection are discussed.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D002176	Candida albicans	A unicellular budding fungus which is the principal pathogenic species causing CANDIDIASIS (moniliasis).	Candida albicans var. stellatoidea,Candida stellatoidea,Dematium albicans,Monilia albicans,Myceloblastanon albicans,Mycotorula albicans,Parasaccharomyces albicans,Procandida albicans,Procandida stellatoidea,Saccharomyces albicans,Syringospora albicans
D004790	Enzyme Induction	An increase in the rate of synthesis of an enzyme due to the presence of an inducer which acts to derepress the gene responsible for enzyme synthesis.	Induction, Enzyme
D005686	Galactokinase	An enzyme that catalyzes reversibly the formation of galactose 1-phosphate and ADP from ATP and D-galactose. Galactosamine can also act as the acceptor. A deficiency of this enzyme results in GALACTOSEMIA. EC 2.7.1.6.
D005690	Galactose	An aldohexose that occurs naturally in the D-form in lactose, cerebrosides, gangliosides, and mucoproteins. Deficiency of galactosyl-1-phosphate uridyltransferase (GALACTOSE-1-PHOSPHATE URIDYL-TRANSFERASE DEFICIENCY DISEASE) causes an error in galactose metabolism called GALACTOSEMIA, resulting in elevations of galactose in the blood.	D-Galactose,Galactopyranose,Galactopyranoside,D Galactose
D005819	Genetic Markers	A phenotypically recognizable genetic trait which can be used to identify a genetic locus, a linkage group, or a recombination event.	Chromosome Markers,DNA Markers,Markers, DNA,Markers, Genetic,Genetic Marker,Marker, Genetic,Chromosome Marker,DNA Marker,Marker, Chromosome,Marker, DNA,Markers, Chromosome
D005821	Genetic Techniques	Chromosomal, biochemical, intracellular, and other methods used in the study of genetics.	Genetic Technic,Genetic Technics,Genetic Technique,Technic, Genetic,Technics, Genetic,Technique, Genetic,Techniques, Genetic
D012441	Saccharomyces cerevisiae	A species of the genus SACCHAROMYCES, family Saccharomycetaceae, order Saccharomycetales, known as "baker's" or "brewer's" yeast. The dried form is used as a dietary supplement.	Baker's Yeast,Brewer's Yeast,Candida robusta,S. cerevisiae,Saccharomyces capensis,Saccharomyces italicus,Saccharomyces oviformis,Saccharomyces uvarum var. melibiosus,Yeast, Baker's,Yeast, Brewer's,Baker Yeast,S cerevisiae,Baker's Yeasts,Yeast, Baker
D012641	Selection, Genetic	Differential and non-random reproduction of different genotypes, operating to alter the gene frequencies within a population.	Natural Selection,Genetic Selection,Selection, Natural
D016296	Mutagenesis	Process of generating a genetic MUTATION. It may occur spontaneously or be induced by MUTAGENS.	Mutageneses