AlipA(yutB) Mutant, Encoding Lipoic Acid Synthase, Provides Insight into the Interplay between Branched-Chain and Unsaturated Fatty Acid Biosynthesis inBacillus subtilis

Abstract

Lipoic acid is an essential cofactor required for the function of key metabolic pathways in most organisms. We report the characterization of aBacillus subtilismutant obtained by disruption of thelipA(yutB) gene, which encodes lipoyl synthase (LipA), the enzyme that catalyzes the final step in the de novo biosynthesis of this cofactor. The function oflipAwas inferred from the results of genetic and physiological experiments, and this study investigated its role inB. subtilisfatty acid metabolism. Interrupting lipoate-dependent reactions strongly inhibits growth in minimal medium, impairing the generation of branched-chain fatty acids and leading to accumulation of copious amounts of straight-chain saturated fatty acids inB. subtilismembranes. Although depletion of LipA induces the expression of the Δ5 desaturase, controlled by a two-component system that senses changes in membrane properties, the synthesis of unsaturated fatty acids is insufficient to support growth in the absence of precursors for branched-chain fatty acids. However, unsaturated fatty acids generated by deregulated overexpression of the Δ5 desaturase functionally replaces lipoic acid-dependent synthesis of branched-chain fatty acids. Furthermore, we show that the cold-sensitive phenotype of aB. subtilisstrain deficient in Δ5 desaturase is suppressed by isoleucine only if LipA is present.