The effect of delta-aminolevulinate on catalase T-messenger RNA levels in delta-aminolevulinate synthase-defective mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Total RNA was isolated from mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae that lack active delta-aminolevulinate synthase and are therefore defective in heme biosynthesis. The RNAs were translated in the cell-free protein synthesis system from wheat germ, and the catalase T synthesized was isolated by immunoadsorption and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of dodecyl sulfate. Little or no catalase T product was detected with RNA from mutant cells grown in the absence of a heme precursor. As judged from in vitro translational capacity, RNA fractions from mutant cells grown in the presence of delta-aminolevulinate contained at least 10 times more catalase T mRNA than RNA from unsupplemented cells.