Lec15.1 cell have a single point mutation within the coding region of DPM2 gene. The mutant DPM2 cDNA is expresses a drastically reduced amount of DPM2 protein
higher value for the apparent Km-value for dolichyl phosphate when assayed in detergent solution, mutation has no effect on Km-value when the enzyme is reconstituted with phosphatidylethanolamine
cloned Pfdpm1 gene fails to complement a Saccharomyces cerevisiae mutant indicating that the parasite gene does not belong to the bakers yeast group. Furthermore, Pfdpm1 is unable to complement a mouse mutant deficient in DPM but efficiently complements the Schizosaccharomyces pombe fission yeast mutant, indicating a difference between fission yeast and mammalian DPM genes
mutant enzymes containing successive deletions or mutations of the hydrophobic region exhibit decreased transferase activity in vitro compared to the wild type enzyme, but the sequence is not essential for growth or for protein glycosylation. Although deletion of the entire hydrophobic region results in a soluble protein, mutant proteins containing 3 or 8 hydrophobic residues are still membrane-associated
DPM synthase mutants have an aberrant cell wall composition and ultrastructure. Mutant is oversensitive to Calcofluor white, an agent interacting with the cell wall chitin. Chemical analysis of the cell wall alkali-insoluble fraction indicates an increased amount of chitin and changes in the quantity of beta1,6- and beta1,3-glucan in dpm1-6 mutants. Cell wall defect is suppressed by an increased dolichol availability caused by the RER2 (cis-prenyl transferase-encoding) gene overexpression and subsequent upregulation of DolPPGlcNAc2 synthesis. This is concomitant with an increase in glycosylation and stability of the plasma membrane protein Gas1 and rearrangement of the cell wall components
DPM synthase mutants have an aberrant cell wall composition and ultrastructure. Mutant is oversensitive to Calcofluor white, an agent interacting with the cell wall chitin. Chemical analysis of the cell wall alkali-insoluble fraction indicates an increased amount of chitin and changes in the quantity of beta1,6- and beta1,3-glucan in dpm1-6 mutants. Cell wall defect is suppressed by an increased dolichol availability caused by the RER2 (cis-prenyl transferase-encoding) gene overexpression and subsequent upregulation of DolPPGlcNAc2 synthesis. This is concomitant with an increase in glycosylation and stability of the plasma membrane protein Gas1 and rearrangement of the cell wall components