Identification of an Aromatic Amino Acid Decarboxylase from a Yew-Associated Fungus

Abstract

Several fungi isolated from the inner bark of the Pacific yew tree (Taxus brevifolia) have been studied as potential paclitaxel producers. Fungal isolate H10BA2, identified as Penicillium raistrickii, showed evidence of de novo paclitaxel production when grown in liquid culture. T his fungus differed in several respects from isolates of P. raistrickii obtained from other sources, including the isolates available from AT CC (American Type Culture Collection). Soluble protein extracts of HlOBA2 yielded a protein fraction that demonstrated aromatic amino acid decarboxylase activity, converting L-phenylalanine to phenethylamine. Isolation of the decarboxylase enzyme, identified for the first time in a fungus, as well as the characterization of the phenethylamine product is described.