Journal des bioprocédés et des biotechniques

Analysis of Global Metabolic Acclimatization of Mucor WJ11 Circinelloides Defective in Carotenoid Synthesis

Abstract

Fanyue Raethong

Carotenoids are essential pigments produced by many fungi, including Mucor circinelloides, for various biological functions. However, little is known about the metabolic changes that occur when a strain is defective in carotenoid synthesis. In this article, we analyze the global metabolic acclimatization of the Mucor WJ11 circinelloides strain, which is defective in carotenoid synthesis, to gain insights into the metabolic pathways affected by this defect and the strategies the organism employs to compensate for it. Mucor circinelloides is a filamentous fungus known for its ability to produce carotenoids, which are important for various biological functions, including protection against oxidative stress and as precursors for vitamin A synthesis. The carotenoid biosynthetic pathway in Mucor circinelloides has been well characterized, making it an ideal model organism for studying carotenoid metabolism. The WJ11 strain of Mucor circinelloides is defective in carotenoid synthesis due to mutations in key biosynthetic genes, providing a unique opportunity to study the metabolic changes associated with this defect.