In this study, the identification and characterization of the Yarrowia lipolytica homologues of Saccharomyces cerevisiae
α-1,6-mannosyltransferases Anp1p and Och1p, designated YlAnl1p and YlOch1p, are described. In order to confirm the function of the Y. lipolytica proteins, including the previously isolated YlMnn9p, in the N-glycosylation pathway, a phenotypic analysis of the disrupted strains ΔYlmnn9, ΔYlanl1, ΔYloch1, ΔYlanl1ΔYlmnn9 and ΔYlmnn9ΔYloch1 was performed. Disruption of the YlMNN9, YlANL1 and YlOCH1 genes caused an increased sensitivity to SDS, compatible with a glycosylation defect, and to Calcofluor White, characteristic of cell-wall defects. Moreover, Western-blot analysis of a heterologous glycosylated protein confirmed a direct role of YlMnn9p and YlAnl1p in the N-glycosylation process. These mutant strains, ΔYlmnn9, ΔYlanl1, ΔYloch1, ΔYlanl1ΔYlmnn9 and ΔYlmnn9ΔYloch1 may thus be used to establish a model for the Y. lipolytica
N-linked glycosylation pathway.