SEQUENCE OF A GENE CODING FOR A CYTOPLASMIC ALCOHOL-DEHYDROGENASE FROM KLUYVEROMYCES-MARXIANUS ATCC-12424

Using a Saccharomyces cerevisiae ADH1 probe, a gene coding for a cytop lasmic alcohol dehydrogenase from Kluyveromyces marxianus ATCC 12424 ( formerly K. fragilis) has been cloned. This gene is able to restore al coholic fermentation in an ADH-null strain of S. cerevisiae and its en coded protein shows strong similarity with other yeast alcohol dehydro genases (from S. cerevisiae, Schizosaccharomyces pombe and its close r elative K. lactis). The product of the gene expressed in S. cerevisiae co-migrates on native gel with a K. marxianus ADH isozyme which is mo re active in cells growing on non-fermentable carbon sources than on g lucose. This behaviour is in contrast with that of the two cytoplasmic ADH isozymes of K. lactis which are both more active in glucose-growi ng than in ethanol-growing cells.