Transcriptional regulation of two endoglucanase-encoding genes (cel3A and cel4) from the wood-degrading basidiomycete Polyporus arcularius

Expression and regulation of genes encoding lignocellulose-degrading activity in the genus Phanerochaete

As white-rot basidiomycetes, Phanerochaete species are critical to the cycling of carbon sequestered as woody biomass, and are predicted to encode many enzymes that can be harnessed to promote the conversion of lignocellulose to sugars for fermentation to fuels and chemicals. Advances in genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic technologies have enabled detailed analyses of different Phanerochaete species and have revealed numerous enzyme families required for lignocellulose utilization, as well as insight into the regulation of corresponding genes. Recent studies of Phanerochaete are also exemplified by molecular analyses following cultivation on different wood preparations, and show substrate-dependent responses that were difficult to predict using model compounds or isolated plant polysaccharides. The aim of this mini-review is to synthesize results from studies that have applied recent advances in molecular tools to evaluate the expression and regulation of proteins that contribute to lignocellulose conversion in Phanerochaete species. The identification of proteins with as yet unknown function are also highlighted and noted as important targets for future investigation of white-rot decay.

Cellotriose and cellotetraose as inducers of the genes encoding cellobiohydrolases in the basidiomycete Phanerochaete chrysosporium

The wood decay basidiomycete Phanerochaete chrysosporium produces a variety of cellobiohydrolases belonging to glycoside hydrolase (GH) families 6 and 7 in the presence of cellulose. However, no inducer of the production of these enzymes has yet been identified. Here, we quantitatively compared the transcript levels of the genes encoding GH family 6 cellobiohydrolase (cel6A) and GH family 7 cellobiohydrolase isozymes (cel7A to cel7F/G) in cultures containing glucose, cellulose, and cellooligosaccharides by real-time quantitative PCR, in order to evaluate the transcription-inducing effect of soluble sugars. Upregulation of transcript levels in the presence of cellulose compared to glucose was observed for cel7B, cel7C, cel7D, cel7F/G, and cel6A at all time points during cultivation. In particular, the transcription of cel7C and cel7D was strongly induced by cellotriose or cellotetraose. The highest level of cel7C transcripts was observed in the presence of cellotetraose, whereas the highest level of cel7D transcripts was found in the presence of cellotriose, amounting to 2.7 x 10(6) and 1.7 x 10(6) copies per 10(5) actin gene transcripts, respectively. These numbers of cel7C and cel7D transcripts were higher than those in the presence of cellulose. In contrast, cellobiose had a weaker transcription-inducing effect than either cellotriose or cellotetraose for cel7C and had little effect in the case of cel7D. These results indicate that cellotriose and cellotetraose, but not cellobiose, are possible natural cellobiohydrolase gene transcription inducers derived from cellulose.

7Alpha-hydroxypregnenolone mediates melatonin action underlying diurnal locomotor rhythms

Melatonin regulates diurnal changes in locomotor activity in vertebrates, but the molecular mechanism for this neurohormonal regulation of behavior is poorly understood. Here we show that 7alpha-hydroxypregnenolone, a previously undescribed avian neurosteroid, mediates melatonin action on diurnal locomotor rhythms in quail. In this study, we first identified 7alpha-hydroxypregnenolone and its stereoisomer 7beta-hydroxypregnenolone in quail brain. These neurosteroids have not been described previously in avian brain. We then demonstrated that 7alpha-hydroxypregnenolone acutely increased quail locomotor activity. To analyze the production of 7alpha-hydroxypregnenolone, cytochrome P450(7alpha), a steroidogenic enzyme of this neurosteroid, was also identified. Subsequently, we demonstrated diurnal changes in 7alpha-hydroxypregnenolone synthesis in quail. 7Alpha-Hydroxypregnenolone synthesis and locomotor activity in males were much higher than in females. This is the first demonstration in any vertebrate of a clear sex difference in neurosteroid synthesis. This sex difference in 7alpha-hydroxypregnenolone synthesis corresponded to the sex difference in locomotion. We show that only males exhibited marked diurnal changes in 7alpha-hydroxypregnenolone synthesis, and these changes occurred in parallel with changes in locomotor activity. Finally, we identified melatonin as a key component of the mechanism regulating 7alpha-hydroxypregnenolone synthesis. Increased synthesis of 7alpha-hydroxypregnenolone occurred in males in vivo after melatonin removal via pinealectomy and orbital enucleation (Px plus Ex). Conversely, decreased synthesis of this neurosteroid occurred after melatonin administration to Px plus Ex males. This study demonstrates that melatonin regulates synthesis of 7alpha-hydroxypregnenolone, a key factor for induction of locomotor activity, thus inducing diurnal locomotor changes in male birds. This is a previously undescribed role for melatonin.