Invertase Production Is Related to the Nitrogen Source in Hansenula anomala

Abstract

Differences in invertase accumulation of Hansenula anomala cultivated in ammonium and nitrate are reported. Media supplemented with sucrose and ammonium sulfate as the sole carbon and nitrogen source, respectively, show strong media acidification (pH 3.0 or lower), and vigorous cell growth. Invertase activity was not detected under such conditions. A cell-free imitation experiment suggests that, under such low pH, extensive chemical breakdown of sucrose (>22%) occurs. Thus, H. anomala is able to grow under strong acidic conditions that permit sucrose metabolism by the uptake of monosac-charides generated from chemical hydrolysis. In addition, invertase activity is not present in cells grown in nitrate as nitrogen source at pH 5.0, but at pH 7.0 activity is detected. If ammonium is supplied instead of nitrate, cells grown at pH 5.0 show invertase activity and at pH 7.0 high levels of activity are detected. These results indicate a specific physiological response of the sucrose metabolism to the presence of alternate nitrogen source.