Molecular cloning and functional expression of alternative oxidase from Candida albicans

The AOX1 gene, which encodes an alternative oxidase, was isolated from the genomic DNA library of Candida albicans. The gene encodes a polypeptide con sisting of 379 amino acids with a calculated molecular mass of 43,975 Da. T he aox1/aox1 mutant strain did not show cyanide-resistant respiration under normal conditions but could still induce cyanide-resistant respiration whe n treated with antimycin A. The measurement of respiratory activity and Wes tern blot analysis suggested the presence of another AOX. When C. albicans AOX1 was expressed in alternative oxidase-deficient Saccharomyces cerevisia e. it could confer cyanide-resistant respiration on S. cerevisiae.