Regulation and physiological role of the DAS1 gene, encoding dihydroxyacetone synthase, in the methylotrophic yeast Candida boidinii

The role played by dihydroxyacetone synthase (DHAS) in the detoxification of formaldehyde in Candida boidinii has been studied. The regulation by carbon and nitrogen of the synthesis of DHAS has also been examined. The research was carried out by cloning the DAS1 gene which encodes DHAS from the C. boidinii genome. DAS1's primary structure and its expression by various carbon and nitrogen sources were then studied. Results show that the primary function of DHAS is in the fixation of formaldehyde into cell constituents.