Effect of azasqualene on hopanoid biosynthesis and ethanol tolerance of<i>Zymomonas mobilis</i>

Abstract

The effect of 2-aza-2,3-dihydrosqualene (azasqualene) on growth and hopanoid content of Zymomonas mobilis was investigated. Concentrations of 4–7 μM azasqualene resulted in a diminishment of growth and hopanoid content of cells with a simultaneous accumulation of squalene. The inhibitory effect of azasqualene was enhanced by ethanol. Furthermore, the importance of hopanoids for the ethanol tolerance of Z. mobilis was demonstrated by an increased growth inhibition of cells with reduced hopanoid content by ethanol.