Functional identification of AtFao3, a membrane bound long chain alcohol oxidase in Arabidopsis thaliana

The Arabidopsis thalina genome database was searched for homologues of the Candida cloacae fao1 gene which encodes a membrane bound, flavin-containing, hydrogen peroxide generating, long chain alcohol oxidase. This gene has not been isolated from plants or animals. Four putative candidates were found in the database but their function has not been proven. The cDNAs for two of them were cloned by RTPCR from Arabidopis suspension culture and one of them [AtFAO3] was overexpressed in Escherichia coli and shown to functionally express long chain alcohol oxidase activity. The protein has been solubilised and retains biological activity thereby preparing the way for crystallographic studies. This is the first functional proof identifying a long chain alcohol oxidase in higher plants. (C) 2004 Federation of European Biochemical Societies. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.