Cytochromes P-450 of yeasts

Oral Candidiasis of Tobacco Smokers: A Literature Review

The mouth is a vital point of entry into the human body, the health of the mouth entails mental, physical as well as social well-being. Studying diseases, microbiota and environmental conditions of the mouth is important to maintain oral health and all body. The smoke of tobacco cigarettes is one of the worst habits that affect the health of the mouth and the body. Therefore, this review has been conducted to study the effect of smoking on the balance of the oral microbiota and the opportunistic organisms, one of the most important of them <i>Candida</i>. Although a few studies have found that cigarette smoking does not influence carriage by <i>Candida</i> significantly. However, most of the studies had results completely contrary to that, smoking cigarettes affect <i>Candida</i> pathogenic characteristics such as a transition from yeast to hyphal form, biofilm formation and, virulence-related gene expressions. Tobacco is not only an inducer of the transition process but it considers an excellent medium for this process. Furthermore, smoking was significantly associated with <i>Candida</i> pathogenicity in patients with clinically suspected oral leukoplakia and smoking worsens oral candidiasis and dampens epithelial cell defense response. Nicotine significantly altered the composition and proportion of yeast cells, as well as the extracellular polysaccharide amounts which increase biofilm matrix and thickness which could promote oral candidiasis. Smoking has the potential to alter the oral condition and cause severe oxidative stress, thereby damaging the epithelial barrier of the mouth. These oxidative molecules during smoking activate epithelial cells proteins called oxidative stress-sensing proteins. If some of these proteins induced, widely thought to have anti-inflammatory properties, inhibit the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and are linked to inflammation and oxidative stress is thought to be a possible therapeutic objective and a crucial regulator for smoking-related oral diseases and mouth candidiasis for instance leukoplakia. Also, it is transported into the cell nucleus in the existence of additional electrophilic chemicals to activate antioxidant enzyme gene expression. Therefore, smoking cigarettes destroys oral health and consequently destroys the health of the whole body.

GFP-fused yeast cells as whole-cell biosensors for genotoxicity evaluation of nitrosamines

Nitrosamine compounds, represented by N-nitrosodimethylamine, are regarded as potentially genotoxic impurities (PGIs) due to their hazard warning structure, which has attracted great attention of pharmaceutical companies and regulatory authorities. At present, great research gaps exist in genotoxicity assessment and carcinogenicity comparison of nitrosamine compounds. In this work, a collection of GFP-fused yeast cells representing DNA damage repair pathways were used to evaluate the genotoxicity of eight nitrosamine compounds (10^-6-10⁵ μg/mL). The high-resolution expression profiles of GFP-fused protein revealed the details of the DNA damage repair of nitrosamines. Studies have shown that nitrosamine compounds can cause extensive DNA damage and activate multiple repair pathways. The evaluation criteria based on the total expression level of protein show a good correlation with the mammalian carcinogenicity data TD₅₀, and the yeast cell collection can be used as a potential reliable criterion for evaluating the carcinogenicity of compounds. The assay based on DNA damage pathway integration has high sensitivity and can be used as a supplementary method for the evaluation of trace PGIs in actual production. KEY POINTS: • The genotoxicity mechanism of nitrosamines was systematically studied. • The influence of compound structure on the efficacy of genotoxicity was explored. • GFP-fused yeast cells have the potential to evaluate impurities in production.

Phylogeny, evolution, and potential ecological relationship of cytochrome CYP52 enzymes in Saccharomycetales yeasts

Cytochrome P450s from the CYP52 family participate in the assimilation of alkanes and fatty acids in fungi. In this work, the evolutionary history of a set of orthologous and paralogous CYP52 proteins from Saccharomycetales yeasts was inferred. Further, the phenotypic assimilation profiles were related with the distribution of cytochrome CYP52 members among species. The maximum likelihood phylogeny of CYP52 inferred proteins reveled a frequent ancient and modern duplication and loss events that generated orthologous and paralogous groups. Phylogeny and assimilation profiles of alkanes and fatty acids showed a family expansion in yeast isolated from hydrophobic-rich environments. Docking analysis of deduced ancient CYP52 proteins suggests that the most ancient function was the oxidation of C4-C11 alkanes, while the oxidation of >10 carbon alkanes and fatty acids is a derived character. The ancient CYP52 paralogs displayed partial specialization and promiscuous interaction with hydrophobic substrates. Additionally, functional optimization was not evident. Changes in the interaction of ancient CYP52 with different alkanes and fatty acids could be associated with modifications in spatial orientations of the amino acid residues that comprise the active site. The extended family of CYP52 proteins is likely evolving toward functional specialization, and certain redundancy for substrates is being maintained.

Genotoxicity Assessment of Drinking Water Disinfection Byproducts by DNA Damage and Repair Pathway Profiling Analysis

Genotoxicity is considered a major concern for drinking water disinfection byproducts (DBPs). Of over 700 DBPs identified to date, only a small number has been assessed with limited information for DBP genotoxicity mechanism(s). In this study, we evaluated genotoxicity of 20 regulated and unregulated DBPs applying a quantitative toxicogenomics approach. We used GFP-fused yeast strains that examine protein expression profiling of 38 proteins indicative of all known DNA damage and repair pathways. The toxicogenomics assay detected genotoxicity potential of these DBPs that is consistent with conventional genotoxicity assays end points. Furthermore, the high-resolution, real-time pathway activation and protein expression profiling, in combination with clustering analysis, revealed molecular level details in the genotoxicity mechanisms among different DBPs and enabled classification of DBPs based on their distinct DNA damage effects and repair mechanisms. Oxidative DNA damage and base alkylation were confirmed to be the main molecular mechanisms of DBP genotoxicity. Initial exploration of QSAR modeling using moleular genotoxicity end points (PELI) suggested that genotoxicity of DBPs in this study was correlated with topological and quantum chemical descriptors. This study presents a toxicogenomics-based assay for fast and efficient mechanistic genotoxicity screening and assessment of a large number of DBPs. The results help to fill in the knowledge gap in the understanding of the molecular mechanisms of DBP genotoxicity.

A Quantitative Toxicogenomics Assay for High-throughput and Mechanistic Genotoxicity Assessment and Screening of Environmental Pollutants

The ecological and health concern of mutagenicity and carcinogenicity potentially associated with an overwhelmingly large and ever-increasing number of chemicals demands for cost-effective and feasible method for genotoxicity screening and risk assessment. This study proposed a genotoxicity assay using GFP-tagged yeast reporter strains, covering 38 selected protein biomarkers indicative of all the seven known DNA damage repair pathways. The assay was applied to assess four model genotoxic chemicals, eight environmental pollutants and four negative controls across six concentrations. Quantitative molecular genotoxicity end points were derived based on dose response modeling of a newly developed integrated molecular effect quantifier, Protein Effect Level Index (PELI). The molecular genotoxicity end points were consistent with multiple conventional in vitro genotoxicity assays, as well as with in vivo carcinogenicity assay results. Further more, the proposed genotoxicity end point PELI values quantitatively correlated with both comet assay in human cell and carcinogenicity potency assay in mice, providing promising evidence for linking the molecular disturbance measurements to adverse outcomes at a biological relevant level. In addition, the high-resolution DNA damaging repair pathway alternated protein expression profiles allowed for chemical clustering and classification. This toxicogenomics-based assay presents a promising alternative for fast, efficient and mechanistic genotoxicity screening and assessment of drugs, foods, and environmental contaminants.

Metabolism of alkenes and ketones by Candida maltosa and related yeasts

Knowledge is scarce about the degradation of ketones in yeasts. For bacteria a subterminal degradation of alkanes to ketones and their further metabolization has been described which always involved Baeyer-Villiger monooxygenases (BVMOs). In addition, the question has to be clarified whether alkenes are converted to ketones, in particular for the oil degrading yeast Candida maltosa little is known. In this study we show the degradation of the aliphatic ketone dodecane-2-one by Candida maltosa and the related yeasts Candida tropicalis, Candida catenulata and Candida albicans as well as Trichosporon asahii and Yarrowia lipolytica. One pathway is initiated by the formation of decyl acetate, resulting from a Baeyer-Villiger-oxidation of this ketone. Beyond this, an initial reduction to dodecane-2-ol by a keto reductase was clearly shown. In addition, two different ways to metabolize dodec-1-ene were proposed. One involved the formation of dodecane-2-one and the other one a conversion leading to carboxylic and dicarboxylic acids. Furthermore the induction of ketone degrading enzymes by dodecane-2-one and dodec-1-ene was shown. Interestingly, with dodecane no subterminal degradation products were detected and it did not induce any enzymes to convert dodecane-2-one.

Plant cyclopropylsterol-cycloisomerase: key amino acids affecting activity and substrate specificity

The enzyme CPI (cyclopropylsterol-cycloisomerase) from the plant sterol pathway catalyses the cleavage of the 9β,19-cyclopropane ring of the 4α-methyl-cyclopropylsterol cycloeucalenol to produce the Δ8-sterol obtusifoliol. Randomly mutated plasmids carrying the Arabidopsis thaliana cpi gene were screened for inactive CPI mutant enzymes on the basis of their ability to genetically complement a Saccharomyces cerevisiae erg7 (defective in oxidosqualene cyclase) ergosterol auxotroph grown in the presence of exogenous cycloeucalenol, and led to the identification of four catalytically important residues. Site-directed mutagenesis experiments confirmed the role of the identified residues, and demonstrated the importance of selected acidic residues and a conserved G108NYFWTHYFF117 motif. The mutated isomerases were assayed both in vivo by quantification of cycloeucalenol conversion into ergosterol in erg7 cells, and in vitro by examination of activities of recombinant AtCPI (A. thaliana CPI) mutants. These studies show that Gly28, Glu29, Gly108 and Asp260 are crucial for CPI activity and that an hydroxy function at residue 113 is needed for maximal substrate affinity and CPI activity. CPI is inactive on upstream 4α,β-dimethyl-cyclopropylsterol precursors of phytosterols. The single mutation W112L generates a CPI with an extended substrate specificity, that is able to convert 4α,β-dimethyl-cyclopropylsterols into the corresponding Δ8 products. These findings provide insights into the molecular basis of CPI activity and substrate specificity.

Functional toxicology: tools to advance the future of toxicity testing

The increased presence of chemical contaminants in the environment is an undeniable concern to human health and ecosystems. Historically, by relying heavily upon costly and laborious animal-based toxicity assays, the field of toxicology has often neglected examinations of the cellular and molecular mechanisms of toxicity for the majority of compounds—information that, if available, would strengthen risk assessment analyses. Functional toxicology, where cells or organisms with gene deletions or depleted proteins are used to assess genetic requirements for chemical tolerance, can advance the field of toxicity testing by contributing data regarding chemical mechanisms of toxicity. Functional toxicology can be accomplished using available genetic tools in yeasts, other fungi and bacteria, and eukaryotes of increased complexity, including zebrafish, fruit flies, rodents, and human cell lines. Underscored is the value of using less complex systems such as yeasts to direct further studies in more complex systems such as human cell lines. Functional techniques can yield (1) novel insights into chemical toxicity; (2) pathways and mechanisms deserving of further study; and (3) candidate human toxicant susceptibility or resistance genes.

Genome-Wide Functional and Stress Response Profiling Reveals Toxic Mechanism and Genes Required for Tolerance to Benzo[a]pyrene in S. cerevisiae

Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) is a ubiquitous, potent, and complete carcinogen resulting from incomplete organic combustion. BaP can form DNA adducts but other mechanisms may play a role in toxicity. We used a functional toxicology approach in S. cerevisiae to assess the genetic requirements for cellular resistance to BaP. In addition, we examined translational activities of key genes involved in various stress response pathways. We identified multiple genes and processes involved in modulating BaP toxicity in yeast which support DNA damage as a primary mechanism of toxicity, but also identify other potential toxicity pathways. Gene ontology enrichment analysis indicated that DNA damage and repair as well as redox homeostasis and oxidative stress are key processes in cellular response to BaP suggesting a similar mode of action of BaP in yeast and mammals. Interestingly, toxicant export is also implicated as a potential novel modulator of cellular susceptibility. In particular, we identified several transporters with human orthologs (solute carrier family 22) which may play a role in mammalian systems.

Functional profiling discovers the dieldrin organochlorinated pesticide affects leucine availability in yeast

Exposure to organochlorinated pesticides such as dieldrin has been linked to Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases, endocrine disruption, and cancer, but the cellular and molecular mechanisms of toxicity behind these effects remain largely unknown. Here we demonstrate, using a functional genomics approach in the model eukaryote Saccharomyces cerevisiae, that dieldrin alters leucine availability. This model is supported by multiple lines of congruent evidence: (1) mutants defective in amino acid signaling or transport are sensitive to dieldrin, which is reversed by the addition of exogenous leucine; (2) dieldrin sensitivity of wild-type or mutant strains is dependent upon leucine concentration in the media; (3) overexpression of proteins that increase intracellular leucine confer resistance to dieldrin; (4) leucine uptake is inhibited in the presence of dieldrin; and (5) dieldrin induces the amino acid starvation response. Additionally, we demonstrate that appropriate negative regulation of the Ras/protein kinase A pathway, along with an intact pyruvate dehydrogenase complex, is required for dieldrin tolerance. Many yeast genes described in this study have human orthologs that may modulate dieldrin toxicity in humans.

CaALK8, an alkane assimilating cytochrome P450, confers multidrug resistance when expressed in a hypersensitive strain of Candida albicans

We report the isolation of a novel C. albicans gene designated CaALK8, by its ability to complement drug hypersensitivity of a pdr5 (ABC: ATP-binding cassette drug extrusion pump) null mutant of S. cerevisiae (JG436). CaALK8 in JG436 conferred resistance to drugs such as cycloheximide (CYH), fluconazole (FCZ), O-phenanthroline (PHE) and 4-nitroquinoline oxide (NQO). The gene was so designated because its sequence was identical to a partial sequence entry named as ALK8 in the Candida database (http://alces.med.umn.edu/candida.html). CaALK8 encodes for a putative 515 amino acid protein highly homologous to alkane-inducible cytochromes P450 (CYP52 gene family) of C. maltosa and C. tropicalis. The ability of CaALK8 to confer drug resistance was also established by its expression in another drug-hypersensitive strain of S. cerevisiae (AD 1234568), which was deleted in seven ABC efflux pumps. The homozygous disruption of CaALK8 in a wild-type C. albicans strain (CAI4) did not result in altered drug susceptibilities. The overexpression of CaALK8 in CAI4 resulted in only FCZ resistance. However, a distinct MDR phenotype was evident when CaALK8 was overexpressed in a drug-hypersensitive C. albicans strain disrupted in both CDR1 and CDR2 (ABC drug extrusion pumps of C. albicans). Alk8p, similar to other Alk proteins from C. maltosa and C. tropicalis, could hydroxylate alkanes and fatty acids. In this study we demonstrate that several drugs could compete with the hydroxylation activity by directly interacting with CaAlk8p. Taken together, our results suggest that a member of the CYP52 gene family could mediate MDR in C. albicans, although it does not seem to be involved in the development of azole resistance in clinical isolates. The nucleotide sequence reported in this paper has been submitted to GenBank under Accession No. Y14766.

Oxygenation cascade in conversion of n-alkanes to alpha,omega-dioic acids catalyzed by cytochrome P450 52A3

Purified recombinant cytochrome P450 52A3 and the corresponding NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase from the alkane-assimilating yeast Candida maltosa were reconstituted into an active alkane monooxygenase system. Besides the primary product, 1-hexadecanol, the conversion of hexadecane yielded up to five additional metabolites, which were identified by gas chromatography-electron impact mass spectrometry as hexadecanal, hexadecanoic acid, 1, 16-hexadecanediol, 16-hydroxyhexadecanoic acid, and 1, 16-hexadecanedioic acid. As shown by substrate binding studies, the final product 1,16-hexadecanedioic acid acts as a competitive inhibitor of n-alkane binding and may be important for the metabolic regulation of the P450 activity. Kinetic studies of the individual sequential reactions revealed high Vmax values for the conversion of hexadecane, 1-hexadecanol, and hexadecanal (27, 23, and 69 min-1, respectively), whereas the oxidation of hexadecanoic acid, 1, 16-hexadecanediol, and 16-hydroxyhexadecanoic acid occurred at significantly lower rates (9, 9, and 5 min-1, respectively). 1-Hexadecanol was found to be the main branch point between mono- and diterminal oxidation. Taken together with data on the incorporation of 18O2-derived oxygen into the hexadecane oxidation products, the present study demonstrates that a single P450 form is able to efficiently catalyze a cascade of sequential mono- and diterminal monooxygenation reactions from n-alkanes to alpha, omega-dioic acids with high regioselectivity.

NADPH oxidase activity of cytochrome P-450 BM3 and its constituent reductase domain

Cytochrome P-450 BM3 from Bacillus megaterium catalyses NADPH oxidation in the absence of added substrate. This activity is also associated with the independently expressed flavin-containing reductase domain of the protein. The rates of these activities are more than two orders of magnitude lower than those in the presence of fatty acid P-450 substrates or artificial electron acceptors. Electrons derived from NADPH in this fashion are transferred onto oxygen, generating superoxide (O2-) anions. The formation of these active oxygen species is detectable by luminometry and the chemiluminescence can be inhibited through the addition of superoxide dismutase (but not catalase). This activity is reminiscent of the microbicidal NADPH oxidase activity associated with neutrophils and other leukocyte blood cell types. Diphenyliodonium, a potent inhibitor of the neutrophil NADPH oxidase, effectively inhibits fatty acid hydroxylase and electron transferase activities catalysed by P-450 BM3 and its reductase domain. CD studies on the native and NADPH-reduced P-450 BM3 and BM3 reductase indicate that no secondary structural alteration is caused by pre-incubation with the reductant. Therefore, the previously recognised reversible time-dependent inactivation of P-450 BM3 by NADPH may be attributed to the NADPH oxidase activity associated with the reductase domain of the enzyme.

Stabilization of microbial cytochrome P-450 activity by creation of station-phase conditions in a continuously operated immobilized-cell reactor

Bacillus megaterium (ATCC 13368) exhibits cytochrome P-450 monooxygenase activity (referred to herein as Cyt P-450 meg) catalyzing 15 beta-steroid hydroxylation. This activity belongs to the widespread ferredoxin reductase-ferredoxin-Cyt P-450 type of monooxygenases, providing a representative model system for this type of activity. The level of Cyt P-450 meg activity reaches its maximum in the cells during the stationary phase of the growth curve and is not affected by Cyt P-450 inducers. Here we present the development of an approach for stabilizing the Cyt P-450 meg system so that it performs continuous steroid hydroxylation and will be a model system for Cyt P-450-based detoxification. It is based on cell immobilization and simulation of stationary-phase conditions in a continuously operated fluidized-bed bioreactor. The combination of an appropriate immobilization technique, operational conditions, and medium composition provided a stabilized cell environment resulting in "freezing" of a physiological steady-state analog under stationary phase conditions, allowing stable performance of continuous hydroxylation for several weeks. It is suggested that this approach may be extended for use with other environmentally induced enzymatic activities.

Structurally and functionally conserved regions of cytochrome P-450 reductase as targets for DNA amplification by the polymerase chain reaction. Cloning and nucleotide sequence of the Schizosaccharomyces pombe cDNA

1. Alignments of the available cytochrome P-450 reductase amino acid sequences, and comparison with the crystal structure of ferredoxin-NADP reductase, indicate that two highly conserved regions are of functional importance. 2. Degenerate oligonucleotide primers, based on these sequences, were used in the polymerase chain reaction to amplify a 309 bp fragment of the cytochrome P-450 reductase gene from Schizosaccharomyces pombe for use as an homologous probe. 3. A 2.6 kb cDNA was cloned from a lambda library, and sequencing revealed an open-reading frame of 2034 bp encoding a protein of M(r) 76774. This protein shares 38-41% identity with other eukaryotic cytochrome P-450 reductases, and 30% identity with that of Bacillus megaterium. 4. Comparison of the N-terminal FMN-binding domain with flavodoxin, and the C-terminal FAD- and NADP-binding domain with ferredoxin-NADP reductase, indicates the presence of several functionally conserved regions. 5. The Sc. pombe cytochrome P-450 reductase gene was shown to contain no introns.

Antimutagenicity in yeast

In recent years there has been increasing interest in antimutagenesis, and studies have been done using both prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems. In eukaryotic systems the first studies were performed with different strains of Schizosaccharomyces pombe. In particular, caffeine and L-methionine were investigated. Different strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae were employed in studies of a wide variety of compounds, including acridine, saccharin, salts, tumor promoters and co-carcinogens. Strain D7 was widely employed and antimutagenic activity of spermine, chlorophyllin, cobaltous chloride and fermented milk is reported.

Metabolism of 5-methoxypsoralen by Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Incubation of methoxypsoralen (5-MOP) in the presence of diploid yeast cells (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) before UV-A exposure leads to an incubation-time dependent decrease of photoinduced genotoxic effects. The reduction in photoinduced genotoxicity is stronger in cells grown in the presence of 20% glucose and containing high levels of cytochrome P-450 than in cells grown in the presence of 0.5% glucose and containing undetectable levels of cytochrome P-450. Inhibition of P-450 activity by specific inhibitors, such as tetrahydrofuran and metyrapone, strongly affects the observed decrease in 5-MOP genotoxicity, indicating the involvement of P-450 in 5-MOP metabolism. As demonstrated by spectrophotometric and chromatographic (HPLC) analysis during incubation of 5-MOP with P-450 containing yeast cells, 5-MOP gradually disappears from the cell supernatant of the incubation mixture. The reduction in the chromatographic peak corresponding to 5-MOP is accompanied by the appearance of a new peak that probably corresponds to a metabolite. As shown by the use of P-450 specific inhibitors, the metabolite appears to be due to P-450 mediated 5-MOP metabolisation. Its UV absorption spectrum suggests an alteration of the pyrone moiety of the 5-MOP molecule.

Purification and properties of cytochrome P-450-dependent 14 alpha-sterol demethylase from Candida albicans

The purification of cytochrome P-450-dependent 14 alpha-sterol demethylase (P-450DM) from the important opportunistic fungal pathogen, Candida albicans, is described. Optimal purification (875-fold) was achieved by extracting the cytochrome from microsomes with sodium cholate followed by hydroxyapatite, octyl-Sepharose and CM-Sepharose chromatographies, giving a cytochrome preparation of 17.5 nmol/mg of protein. By the use of SDS/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis the cytochrome was judged to be highly purified on the basis of Coomassie Brilliant Blue staining of protein. The Mr of P-450DM was estimated to be 51,000. The absorption spectrum of oxidized P-450DM was characteristic of a low-spin cytochrome, and its reduced CO complex had a Soret absorption peak at 447 nm. When reconstituted in a model membrane system of dilauroylphosphatidylcholine with NADPH and O2, P-450DM catalysed the complete 14 alpha-demethylation of lanosterol, which was inhibited by CO. The cytochrome appeared to have a high degree of substrate specificity; it was unable to oxidize a number of xenobiotic compounds in the reconstituted assay.

Isolation of Phaffia rhodozyma Mutants with Increased Astaxanthin Content

Plating of the astaxanthin-producing yeast Phaffia rhodozyma onto yeast-malt agar containing 50 μM antimycin A gave rise to colonies of unusual morphology, characterized by a nonpigmented lower smooth surface that developed highly pigmented vertical papillae after 1 to 2 months. Isolation and purification of the pigmented papillae, followed by testing for pigment production in shake flasks, demonstrated that several antimycin isolates were increased two- to fivefold in astaxanthin content compared with the parental natural isolate (UCD-FST 67-385). One of the antimycin strains (ant-1) and a nitrosoguanidine derivative of ant-1 (ant-1-4) produced considerably more astaxanthin than the parent (ant-1 had 800 to 900 μg/g; ant-1-4 had 900 to 1,300 μg/g; and 67-385 had 300 to 450 μg/g). The mutant strains were compared physiologically with the parent. The antimycin mutants grew slower on ammonia, glutamate, or glutamine as nitrogen sources compared with the natural isolate and also had lower cell yields on several carbon sources. Although isolated on antimycin plates, they were found to be more susceptible to antimycin A, apparently owing to the spatial separation of the papillae from the agar. They were also more susceptible than the parent to the respiratory inhibitor thenoyltrifluoroacetone and were slightly more susceptible to cyanide, but did not differ from the natural isolate in susceptibility to azide. The antimycin-derived strains were also killed faster than the parent by hydrogen peroxide. The carotenoid compositions of the parent and the antimycin-derived strains were similar to those previously determined in the type strain (UCD-FST 67-210) except that two carotenoids not previously found in the type strain were present in increased quantities in the antimycin mutants and phoenicoxanthin was a minor component. The chemical properties of the unknown carotenoids suggested that the strains isolated on antimycin agar tended to oxygenate and desaturate carotene precursors to a greater extent than the parent. The physiology of the antimycin isolates and the known specificity of antimycin for cytochrome b in the respiratory chain suggests that alteration of cytochrome b or cytochrome P-450 components involved in oxygenation and desaturation of carotenes in mitochondria are affected, which results in increased astaxanthin production. These astaxanthin-overproducing mutants and more highly pigmented derivative strains could be useful in providing a natural source of astaxanthin for the pen-reared-salmon industry or for other farmed animals that contain astaxanthin as their principal carotenoid.