Identification of a fatty acyl-CoA synthetase gene, lcf2+, which affects viability after entry into the stationary phase in Schizosaccharomyces pombe

The lcf1(+) gene, which encodes a long chain fatty acyl-CoA synthetase, is necessary for the maintenance of viability after entry into the stationary phase in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. In this study, we analyzed a paralogous gene, SPBP4HI0.11c (named lcf2(+)), and we present evidence that the gene encodes a new fatty acyl-CoA synthetase. The enzyme preferentially recognized myristic acid as a substrate. A Delta lcf2 mutant showed increased viability after entry into the stationary phase in SD medium. A Delta lcf1 Delta lcf2 double mutant showed a severe decrease in long-chain fatty acyl-CoA synthetase activity and a rapid loss of viability after entry into the stationary phase. These results suggest that fatty acid utilization and/or metabolism is important to determine viability in the stationary phase.