Functional organization of the Aspergillus nidulans trpC promoter

Recent advances in plasmid-based tools for establishing novel microbial chassis

A key challenge for domesticating alternative cultivable microorganisms with biotechnological potential lies in the development of innovative technologies. Within this framework, a myriad of genetic tools has flourished, allowing the design and manipulation of complex synthetic circuits and genomes to become the general rule in many laboratories rather than the exception. More recently, with the development of novel technologies such as DNA automated synthesis/sequencing and powerful computational tools, molecular biology has entered the synthetic biology era. In the beginning, most of these technologies were established in traditional microbial models (known as chassis in the synthetic biology framework) such as Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, enabling fast advances in the field and the validation of fundamental proofs of concept. However, it soon became clear that these organisms, although extremely useful for prototyping many genetic tools, were not ideal for a wide range of biotechnological tasks due to intrinsic limitations in their molecular/physiological properties. Over the last decade, researchers have been facing the great challenge of shifting from these model systems to non-conventional chassis with endogenous capacities for dealing with specific tasks. The key to address these issues includes the generation of narrow and broad host plasmid-based molecular tools and the development of novel methods for engineering genomes through homologous recombination systems, CRISPR/Cas9 and other alternative methods. Here, we address the most recent advances in plasmid-based tools for the construction of novel cell factories, including a guide for helping with "build-your-own" microbial host.

A novel polyketide synthase gene cluster in the plant pathogenic fungus Pseudocercospora fijiensis

Pseudocercospora fijiensis, causal agent of black Sigatoka of banana, produces polyketide synthase (PKS) pathways shown to be important in disease development by related Dothideomycete fungi. Genome analysis of the P. fijiensis PKS8-1 gene identified it as part of a gene cluster including genes encoding two transcription factors, a regulatory protein, a glyoxylase/beta-lactamase-like protein, an MFS transporter, a cytochrome P450, two aldo/keto reductases, a dehydrogenase, and a decarboxylase. Genome analysis of the related pathogens Pseudocercospora musae, Pseudocercospora eumusae, and Pseudocercospora pini-densiflorae, identified orthologous clusters containing a nearly identical combination of genes. Phylogenetic analysis of PKS8-1 identified homology to PKS proteins in the monodictyphenone and cladofulvin pathways in Aspergillus nidulans and Cladosporium fulvum, respectively. Analysis of clustered genes showed that the PKS8-1 cluster shares genes for enzymes involved in the production of the emodin intermediate in the monodictyphenone and cladofulvin pathways, but differs in many genes, suggesting production of a different metabolic product. Time course analysis of gene expression in infected banana showed up-regulation of PKS8-1 and four of eight clustered genes as early as 2 weeks post-inoculation and remaining high through 9 weeks. Overexpression of the pathway through constitutive expression of an aflR-like transcription factor gene in the cluster resulted in increased expression in culture of PKS8-1 as well as the four clustered genes that are up-regulated in infected plants. No differences were seen in timing or severity of disease symptoms with the overexpression strains relative to controls, however gene expression analysis showed no difference in expression in planta by an overexpression strain relative to controls. Thus constitutive expression of the aflR-like gene is not sufficient to upregulate the pathway above normal expression in planta. Pathway expression during all phases of disease development and conservation of the pathway in related Pseudocercospora species support a role for this pathway in disease.

A Novel Rapid Fungal Promoter Analysis System Using the Phosphopantetheinyl Transferase Gene, npgA, in Aspergillus nidulans

To develop a convenient promoter analysis system for fungi, a null-pigment mutant (NPG) of Aspergillus nidulans was used with the 4'-phosphopantetheinyl transferase (PPTase) gene, npgA, which restores the normal pigmentation in A. nidulans, as a new reporter gene. The functional organization of serially deleted promoter regions of the A. nidulans trpC gene and the Cryphonectria parasitica crp gene in filamentous fungi was representatively investigated to establish a novel fungal promoter assay system that depends on color complementation of the NPG mutant with the PPTase npgA gene. Several promoter regions of the trpC and crp genes were fused to the npgA gene containing the 1,034-bp open reading frame and the 966-bp 3' downstream region from the TAA, and the constructed fusions were introduced into the NPG mutant in A. nidulans to evaluate color recovery due to the transcriptional activity of the sequence elements. Serial deletion of the trpC and crp promoter regions in this PPTase reporter assay system reaffirmed results in previous reports by using the fungal transformation step without a laborious verification process. This approach suggests a more rapid and convenient system than conventional analyses for fungal gene expression studies.

The Aspergillus fumigatus Sialidase (Kdnase) Contributes to Cell Wall Integrity and Virulence in Amphotericin B-Treated Mice

Aspergillus fumigatus is a filamentous fungus that can cause a life-threatening invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) in immunocompromised individuals. We previously characterized an exo-sialidase from A. fumigatus that prefers the sialic acid substrate, 2-keto-3-deoxy-D-glycero-D-galacto-nononic acid (Kdn); hence it is a Kdnase. Sialidases are known virulence factors in other pathogens; therefore, the goal of our study was to evaluate the importance of Kdnase in A. fumigatus. A kdnase knockout strain (Δkdnase) was unable to grow on medium containing Kdn and displayed reduced growth and abnormal morphology. Δkdnase was more sensitive than wild type to hyperosmotic conditions and the antifungal agent, amphotericin B. In contrast, Δkdnase had increased resistance to nikkomycin, Congo Red and Calcofluor White indicating activation of compensatory cell wall chitin deposition. Increased cell wall thickness and chitin content in Δkdnase were confirmed by electron and immunofluorescence microscopy. In a neutropenic mouse model of invasive aspergillosis, the Δkdnase strain had attenuated virulence and a significantly lower lung fungal burden but only in animals that received liposomal amphotericin B after spore exposure. Macrophage numbers were almost twofold higher in lung sections from mice that received the Δkdnase strain, possibly related to higher survival of macrophages that internalized the Δkdnase conidia. Thus, A. fumigatus Kdnase is important for fungal cell wall integrity and virulence, and because Kdnase is not present in the host, it may represent a potential target for the development of novel antifungal agents.

Genetic manipulation of Fonsecaea pedrosoi using particles bombardment and Agrobacterium mediated transformation

Fonsecaea pedrosoi, a melanized fungal pathogen that causes Chromoblastomycosis, a human disease with a worldwide distribution. Biolistic is a widely used technique for direct delivery of genetic material into intact cells by particles bombardment. Another well-established transformation method is Agrobacterium-mediated transformation (ATMT), which involves the transfer of a T-DNA from the bacterium to the target cells. In F. pedrosoi there are no reports of established protocols for genetic transformation, which require optimization of physical and biological parameters. In this work, intact conidia of F. pedrosoi were particle bombarded and subjected to ATMT. In addition, we proposed hygromycin B, nourseothricin and neomycin as dominant selective markers for F. pedrosoi and vectors were constructed. We tested two parameters for biolistic: the distance of the particles to the target cells and time of cells recovery in nonselective medium. The biolistic efficiency was 37 transformants/μg of pFpHYG, and 45 transformants/μg of pAN7.1. Transformants expressing GFP were successfully obtained by biolistic. A co-culture ratio of 10: 1 (bacterium: conidia) and co-incubation time of 72 h yielded the largest number of transformants after ATMT. Southern blot analysis showed the number of foreign DNA insertion into the genome is dependent upon the plasmid used to generate the mutants. This work describes for the first time two efficient methods for genetic modification of Fonsecaea and these results open new avenues to better understand the biology and pathogenicity of the main causal agent of this neglected disease.

Standardization of functional reporter and antibiotic resistance cassettes to facilitate the genetic engineering of filamentous fungi

The unique physiological properties of fungi are useful for a myriad of applications, which could greatly benefit from increased control of native pathways and introduction of recombinant genes. However, fungal genetic engineering is still limited in scope and accessibility, largely due to lack of standardization. To help standardize the genetic engineering of filamentous fungi, we created BioBricks of commonly used antibiotic resistance genes, neomycin phosphotransferase (nptII) and hygromycin phosphotransferase (hph), which confer resistance to G418 (Geneticin) and hygromycin B, respectively. Additionally, we created a BioBrick of the constitutive trpC promoter, from the tryptophan biosynthesis pathway of Aspergillus nidulans, and used it to create a composite part including the GFP gene. The functionality of these parts was demonstrated in the model fungal organism Cochliobolus heterostrophus, and as these tools are in modular BioBrick format, they can be easily used to facilitate genetic engineering of other fungal species.

The Aspergillus nidulans metZ gene encodes a transcription factor involved in regulation of sulfur metabolism in this fungus and other Eurotiales

In Aspergillus nidulans, expression of sulfur metabolism genes is activated by the MetR transcription factor containing a basic region and leucine zipper domain (bZIP). Here we identified and characterized MetZ, a new transcriptional regulator in A. nidulans and other Eurotiales. It contains a bZIP domain similar to the corresponding region in MetR and this similarity suggests that MetZ could potentially complement the MetR deficiency. The metR and metZ genes are interrupted by unusually long introns. Transcription of metZ, unlike that of metR, is controlled by the sulfur metabolite repression system (SMR) dependent on the MetR protein. Overexpression of metZ from a MetR-independent promoter in a ΔmetR background activates transcription of genes encoding sulfate permease, homocysteine synthase and methionine permease, partially complementing the phenotype of the ΔmetR mutation. Thus, MetZ appears to be a second transcription factor involved in regulation of sulfur metabolism genes.

Sulfonylurea resistance reconstitution as a novel strategy for ILV2-specific integration in Magnaporthe oryzae

A sulfonylurea-resistant allele of the ILV2 gene encoding an acetolactate synthase from the rice-blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae has been extensively used in fungal transformation as a dominant selectable marker that confers resistance to chlorimuron ethyl. We devised a novel strategy for site-specific integration of foreign DNA via sulfonylurea resistance reconstitution (SRR) by replacing the native ILV2 with the sulfonylurea-resistant ILV2(SUR) variant. In contrast to random ectopic integration, SRR-based targeted incorporation at a defined locus eliminates position/orientation effects, unnecessary mutations and/or variation in gene expression. Independent transformants derived from the same SRR construct showed consistent and reproducible fluorescent signal in M. oryzae. Furthermore, the high frequency (>95%) of ILV2-specific targeted integration via SRR circumvents the need for a deficiency in non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) pathway in the recipient strain. Unlike the split-marker technique, which is particularly suitable for targeted gene replacement, the SRR strategy should prove useful for promoter analyses, gene tagging and/or complementation analyses in filamentous fungi.

The MAT locus genes play different roles in sexual reproduction and pathogenesis in Fusarium graminearum

Sexual reproduction plays a critical role in the infection cycle of Fusarium graminearum because ascospores are the primary inoculum. As a homothallic ascomycete, F. graminearum contains both the MAT1-1 and MAT1-2-1 loci in the genome. To better understand their functions and regulations in sexual reproduction and pathogenesis, in this study we assayed the expression, interactions, and mutant phenotypes of individual MAT locus genes. Whereas the expression of MAT1-1-1 and MAT12-1 rapidly increased after perithecial induction and began to decline after 1 day post-perithecial induction (dpi), the expression of MAT1-1-2 and MAT1-1-3 peaked at 4 dpi. MAT1-1-2 and MAT1-1-3 had a similar expression profile and likely are controlled by a bidirectional promoter. Although none of the MAT locus genes were essential for perithecium formation, all of them were required for ascosporogenesis in self-crosses. In outcrosses, the mat11-1-2 and mat11-1-3 mutants were fertile but the mat1-1-1 and mat1-2-1 mutants displayed male- and female-specific defects, respectively. The mat1-2-1 mutant was reduced in FgSO expression and hyphal fusion. Mat1-1-2 interacted with all other MAT locus transcription factors, suggesting that they may form a protein complex during sexual reproduction. Mat1-1-1 also interacted with FgMcm1, which may play a role in controlling cell identity and sexual development. Interestingly, the mat1-1-1 and mat1-2-1 mutants were reduced in virulence in corn stalk rot assays although none of the MAT locus genes was important for wheat infection. The MAT1-1-1 and MAT1-2-1 genes may play a host-specific role in colonization of corn stalks.

Transcription factor Amr1 induces melanin biosynthesis and suppresses virulence in Alternaria brassicicola

Alternaria brassicicola is a successful saprophyte and necrotrophic plant pathogen. Several A. brassicicola genes have been characterized as affecting pathogenesis of Brassica species. To study regulatory mechanisms of pathogenesis, we mined 421 genes in silico encoding putative transcription factors in a machine-annotated, draft genome sequence of A. brassicicola. In this study, targeted gene disruption mutants for 117 of the transcription factor genes were produced and screened. Three of these genes were associated with pathogenesis. Disruption mutants of one gene (AbPacC) were nonpathogenic and another gene (AbVf8) caused lesions less than half the diameter of wild-type lesions. Unexpectedly, mutants of the third gene, Amr1, caused lesions with a two-fold larger diameter than the wild type and complementation mutants. Amr1 is a homolog of Cmr1, a transcription factor that regulates melanin biosynthesis in several fungi. We created gene deletion mutants of Δamr1 and characterized their phenotypes. The Δamr1 mutants used pectin as a carbon source more efficiently than the wild type, were melanin-deficient, and more sensitive to UV light and glucanase digestion. The AMR1 protein was localized in the nuclei of hyphae and in highly melanized conidia during the late stage of plant pathogenesis. RNA-seq analysis revealed that three genes in the melanin biosynthesis pathway, along with the deleted Amr1 gene, were expressed at low levels in the mutants. In contrast, many hydrolytic enzyme-coding genes were expressed at higher levels in the mutants than in the wild type during pathogenesis. The results of this study suggested that a gene important for survival in nature negatively affected virulence, probably by a less efficient use of plant cell-wall materials. We speculate that the functions of the Amr1 gene are important to the success of A. brassicicola as a competitive saprophyte and plant parasite.

A split luciferase complementation assay for studying in vivo protein-protein interactions in filamentous ascomycetes

Protein-protein interactions play important roles in controlling many cellular events. To date, several techniques have been developed for detection of protein-protein interactions in living cells, among which split luciferase complementation has been applied in animal and plant cells. Here, we examined whether the split luciferase assay could be used in filamentous ascomycetes, such as Gibberella zeae and Cochliobolus heterostrophus. The coding sequences of two strongly interacting proteins (the F-box protein, FBP1, and its partner SKP1) in G. zeae, under the control of the cryparin promoter from Cryphonectria parasitica, were translationally fused to the C- and N-terminal fragments of firefly luciferase (luc), respectively. Each fusion product inserted into a fungal transforming vector carrying the gene for resistance to either geneticin or hygromycin B, was transformed into both fungi. We detected complementation of split luciferase proteins driven by interaction of the two fungal proteins with a high luminescence intensity-to-background ratio only in the fungal transformants expressing both N-luc and C-luc fusion constructs. Using this system, we also confirmed a novel protein interaction between transcription factors, GzMCM1 and FST12 in G. zeae, which could hardly be proven by the yeast two-hybrid method. This is the first study demonstrating that monitoring of split luciferase complementation is a sensitive and efficient method of studying in vivo protein-protein interactions in filamentous ascomycetes.

Utility of Aspergillus niger citrate synthase promoter for heterologous expression

Citrate synthase is a central player in the acidogenic metabolism of Aspergillus niger. The 5' upstream sequence (0.9kb DNA) of citrate synthase gene (citA) from A. niger NCIM 565 was analyzed and its promoter function demonstrated through the heterologous expression of two proteins. The cloned citrate synthase promoter (PcitA) sequence was able to express bar coding sequence thereby conferring phosphinothricin resistance. This sequence was further analyzed by systematic deletions to define an effective but compact functional promoter. The PcitA driven egfp expression showed that PcitA was active in all differentiation cell-stages of A. niger. EGFP expression was highest on non-repressible carbon sources like acetate and glycerol. Mycelial EGFP levels increased during acidogenic growth suggesting that PcitA is functional throughout this cultivation. A. niger PcitA is the first Krebs cycle gene promoter used to express heterologous proteins in filamentous fungi.

Conidiophore stalk-less1 encodes a putative zinc-finger protein involved in the early stage of conidiation and mycelial infection in Magnaporthe oryzae

Over recent decades, many pathogenicity genes of Magnaporthe oryzae have been identified but only a very limited number of genes have been identified that encode components of the conidiogenesis pathway. We report here a T-DNA insertional mutant that completely lost conidiation ability. Further investigation revealed that this mutant did not develop any conidiophore, and that the T-DNA was integrated into an annotated gene designated as conidiophore stalk-less1 or COS1. Complementation experiments suggested that COS1 may be a determinant of conidiation. Sequence analysis revealed that COS1 putatively encodes a 491-amino-acid zinc-finger protein and the protein was revealed localized to nucleus. Reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)-based expression analysis indicated that two homologues of conidiophore-related genes were affected by the cos1 mutation, suggesting that Cos1 may function as a transcriptional regulator controlling genes responsible for conidiation. Inoculations of rice roots and wounded leaves with mycelia suggested that COS1 is not required for pathogenicity. Moreover, mutation of COS1 may aggravate infection of wounded leaves. Interestingly, different from the wild-type strain, mycelia of the cos1 mutant successfully infected host cells and caused visible symptoms on unwounded leaf blades and sheaths, indicating that Cos1 may have a role in some unknown mechanism of mycelial infection of M. oryzae.

Marker and promoter effects on heterologous expression in Aspergillus nidulans

To study the effects of selection marker, promoter type, and copy number on heterologous expression in Aspergillus nidulans, strains were constructed with single- and multicopy plasmid integrations bearing a reporter gene (lacZ) under the control of either an inducible (alcA) or constitutive (gpdA) promoter and one of three Aspergillus nutritional marker genes (argB, trpC, or niaD). beta-Galactosidase activity in the transformants varied over three orders of magnitude, with the majority of levels in the range of 5x10(3)-1x10(4) U/mg. Significant differences in mean expression levels were found when comparing single-copy transformants with the same promoter but a different marker. Transformants with the argB marker had the highest average expression, approximately threefold over the trpC or niaD clones. For each promoter, maximal expression for the set was seen in the range of the single-copy clones, implying that increasing the copy number does not reliably increase expression in Aspergillus.

Light induction of the carotenoid biosynthesis pathway in Blakeslea trispora

A gene of Blakeslea trispora has been cloned by heterologous hybridization with the Mucor circinelloides crgA gene, a repressor of light-inducible carotenogenesis. This gene is the ortholog of the M. circinelloides crgA, since it was able to restore the wild-type phenotype of a null crgA mutant of M. circinelloides. The expression of B. trispora crgA gene is light-induced and photoadapted, as occurs for M. circinelloides crgA. Light induction and photoadaptation of B. trispora crgA was also observed in M. circinelloides, which suggests that the mechanisms involved in light regulation are basically conserved between these filamentous fungi. Conservation of the regulatory pathway that controls carotene biosynthesis was supported by the light-induced and photoadapted expression of all structural carotenogenic genes of B. trispora. Consequently, the beta-carotene content of dark grown mycelia of B. trispora increased upon illumination with white light.

Cloning, characterization and heterologous expression of the Blakeslea trispora gene encoding orotidine-5'-monophosphate decarboxylase

The pyrG gene of the fungus Blakeslea trispora, encoding orotidine-5'-monophosphate decarboxylase (OMPD) enzyme, was cloned by heterologous hybridization of a genomic library with the Mucor circinelloides pyrG gene. The deduced amino acid sequence of the B. trispora pyrG gene is highly similar to the OMPD from other organisms. Hybridization analyses revealed that the only copy of this gene present in the genome of B. trispora is constitutively expressed. Heterologous complementation of a mutant of M. circinelloides deficient in OMPD activity with the B. trispora pyrG gene and promoter sequence confirmed the function of this gene. This functional complementation demonstrates that heterologous expression in M. circinelloides might be used to investigate the function of genes of B. trispora.

Transcriptional autoregulation and inhibition of mRNA translation of amino acid regulator gene cpcA of filamentous fungus Aspergillus nidulans

The CPCA protein of the filamentous fungus Aspergillus nidulans is a member of the c-Jun-like transcriptional activator family. It acts as central transcription factor of the cross-pathway regulatory network of amino acid biosynthesis and is functionally exchangeable for the general control transcriptional activator Gcn4p of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In contrast to GCN4, expression of cpcA is strongly regulated by two equally important mechanisms with additive effects that lead to a fivefold increased CPCA protein amount under amino acid starvation conditions. One component of cpcA regulation involves a transcriptional autoregulatory mechanism via a CPCA recognition element (CPRE) in the cpcA promoter that causes a sevenfold increased cpcA mRNA level when cells are starved for amino acids. Point mutations in the CPRE cause a constitutively low mRNA level of cpcA and a halved protein level when amino acids are limited. Moreover, two upstream open reading frames (uORFs) in the 5' region of the cpcA mRNA are important for a translational regulatory mechanism. Destruction of both short uORFs results in a sixfold increased CPCA protein level under nonstarvation conditions and a 10-fold increase under starvation conditions. Mutations in both the CPRE and uORF regulatory elements lead to an intermediate effect, with a low cpcA mRNA level but a threefold increased CPCA protein level independent of amino acid availability. These data argue for a combined regulation of cpcA that includes a translational regulation like that of yeast GCN4 as well as a transcriptional regulation like that of the mammalian jun and fos genes.

Epichloë festucae and related mutualistic symbionts of grasses

Epichloë and Neotyphodium species (Ascomycota) are mutualistic symbionts (endophytes) of temperate grasses, to which they impart numerous and profound fitness benefits. Epichloë festucae, a common symbiont of Festuca, Lolium,and Koeleria spp., is a model for endophyte research that is amenable to Mendelian and molecular genetic analysis. Characteristics of E. festucae include: (i) production of the anti-insect alkaloids peramine and lolines, (ii) production of the anti-vertebrate alkaloids lolitrem B and ergovaline, (iii) efficient vertical transmission via host seeds, (iv) a mildly pathogenic state associated with the E. festucae sexual cycle, and (v) a clear role in enhancing survival of host plants. Genetic analysis of alkaloid production has recently begun. Also, physiological and ultrastructural studies suggest that signals communicated between E. festucae and host plants ensure an exquisitely balanced interaction to the mutual benefit of both partners. Several mutualistic Neotyphodium species are hybrids between E. festucae and other endophyte species.

Identification of a functional CT-element in the Phytophthora infestans piypt1 gene promoter

CT-rich sequences of incompletely characterized function have been found in the gene promoter regions of many organisms, fungi and members of the genus Phytophthora prominently among them. We describe here an in vitro analysis of CT-element function in regulating transcription of the Phytophthora infestans piypt1 gene, a gene that encodes a monomeric G-protein believed to be involved in regulation of vesicle transport (Chen and Roxby (1996) Gene 181, 89-94). The results of the promoter analysis indicate that a 17-bp CT-element lying close to the transcription start point of this gene is important in determining the frequency of transcription initiation. Competition experiments suggest that transcription factors bind to the CT element. A subregion lying at the 5'-end of the CT-element resembles an Inr element, a type of CT-rich transcription regulator first discovered in some mammalian genes. This Inr-like subregion appears to be more important in the interactions leading to transcription initiation than more downstream regions within this CT-element. Two proteins, of 37 and 45 kDa, respectively, that bind to the CT-element and are presumed to be transcription factors were detected in P. infestans nuclear extracts by southwestern blotting.

Cloning and characterization of three Aspergillus niger promoters

An Aspergillus niger (An) genomic library was constructed using the promoter-trap vector, pLX2A, which contains a hygromycin B (Hy) phosphotransferase-encoding gene (hph) for selection of DNA fragments with promoter activity. This library was transformed in Escherichia coli and 80,000 colonies were obtained, 94% of which contained inserts. Transformations of plasmid DNA from the library into An resulted in 53 Hy-resistant (HyR) colonies. Southern blot analysis of 21 transformants confirmed the integration of hph into the An genome. Using the sib selection procedure, three functional promoters, PX6, PX18 and PX21, were identified from this library. Both DNA strands of all three fragments were sequenced and their sequences showed no significant homology to those in the database. Comparison of the sequences of all known promoters from An suggested that C+T-rich stretches are probably important for promoter structures. The promoter activity was analysed further using beta-galactosidase (beta Gal) as a quantitative marker. The results suggest that while PX21 is a much stronger promoter than the known alpha-amylase promoter of A. oryzae, PX6 promotes only weak expression of beta Gal.

A novel strategy for the isolation of defined pyrG mutants and the development of a site-specific integration system for Aspergillus awamori

A homologous gene transfer system for Aspergillus awamori for site-specific integration is described, based on two components. First, a defined A. awamori pyrG mutant strain constructed by a selection strategy for gene-replacement in fungi. Second, a vector with a homologous pyrG selection marker containing a defined mutation at a site different from that of the mutations in the pyrG gene of the defined mutant strain. Defined mutation in the A. awamori pyrG gene, isolated from a genomic library by heterologous hybridisation with the A. niger pyrG gene as a probe, were introduced by specifically altering sequences at restriction sites in the coding region of the gene. After transformation of the A. awamori wild-type strain with vectors containing these mutated pyrG genes, and selection for 5-fluoro-orotic acid resistance (5-FOAR), on the average 60% of the 5-FOAR colonies originated from replacement of the wild-type pyrG gene by the mutated pyrG allele. After transformation of a mutant strain, carrying a mutation near the 5' end of the pyrG gene with vectors containing a mutation near the 3' end of the pyrG gene, 35% of the resulting transformants contained one copy of the vector at the pyrG locus.

Overexpression of flbA, an early regulator of Aspergillus asexual sporulation, leads to activation of brlA and premature initiation of development

Aspergillus nidulans reproduces asexually by forming thousands of mitotically derived spores atop highly specialized multicellular organs termed conidiophores. We have identified a gene called flbA (for fluffy low brlA expression) that is required for initiation of A. nidulans conidiophore development. flbA mutants form abnormal colonies that have a distinct fluffy phenotype characterized by tightly interwoven aerial hyphae that autolyse as the colony matures. The requirement for flbA in conidiophore development precedes activation of brlA, a primary regulator of conidiophore development. The wild-type flbA gene was isolated and found to encode a 3.0 kb mRNA that is expressed throughout the A. nidulans asexual life cycle. Overexpression of flbA using an inducible promoter resulted in misscheduled expression of brlA in vegetative cells and caused hyphal tips to differentiate into spore-producing structures. Sequence analysis of a nearly full-length flbA cDNA clone showed that flbA is predicted to encode a 717-amino-acid polypeptide with 30% identity to the Saccharomyces cerevisiae SST2 protein. SST2 is required by yeast cells for resuming growth following prolonged exposure to yeast mating pheromone and for mating partner discrimination. We propose that flbA plays a related role in a signalling pathway for Aspergillus conidiophore development.

Molecular biology and evolution of the grass endophytes

Acremonium coenophialum Morgan-Jones et W. Gams is a maternally transmitted fungal symbiont (endophyte) of the important forage grass Festuca arundinacea Schreb. (tall fescue), and provides biological protection and enhanced fitness to its host, but its anti-mammalian ergot alkaloids detract from the usefulness of tall fescue as forage for livestock. Molecular genetic techniques and materials are being developed in order to specifically eliminate the gene(s) encoding the first enzyme in ergot alkaloid biosynthesis. These techniques will also facilitate basic studies, such as host-fungus compatibility or biosynthesis of insecticidal alkaloids. Molecular phylogenetics indicate that endophytes related to A. coenophialum have evolved on multiple occasions from strains of Epichloë typhina (Ascomycotina, Clavicipitaceae), for which the sexual cycle is known. These studies also reveal significant diversity among seedborne endophytes in individual grass species. Thus, the endophytes are an important source of biochemical potential and genetic diversity in grass-fungus symbiota.

Relative strengths of promoters from Cochliobolus heterostrophus

GPD1 (encoding glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase) is a constitutively expressed gene in Cochliobolus heterostrophus that produces a single transcript. The steady state level of GPD1 mRNA is 14-fold greater than that of the constitutively-expressed TRP1 gene (encoding a tryptophan biosynthesis enzyme) indicating that GPD1 has a stronger promoter and/or a more stable mRNA. A set of lacZ translational fusion vectors was constructed to compare the gene expression signals of GPD1, TRP1 and PRO1 (a C. heterostrophus genomic fragment selected for promoter activity) in C. heterostrophus as single copies at the same site in the chromosome. Under conditions that repressed endogenous beta-galactosidase expression, beta-galactosidase activity in transformants was constitutive and required the GPD1, TRP1 or PRO1 expression signals. In-frame GPD1::lacZ activities were 6-fold greater than in-frame TRP1::lacZ and PRO1::lacZ activities, indicating that GPD1 has more efficient expression signals.

Molecular characterization of a fungal secondary metabolism promoter: transcription of the Aspergillus nidulans isopenicillin N synthetase gene is modulated by upstream negative elements

The Aspergillus nidulans IPNS gene, encoding isopenicillin N synthetase, is a secondary metabolism gene. It is contiguous to, but divergently transcribed from, the ACVS gene at the penicillin gene cluster. The untranslated region between both ORFs is 872bp long. Here we present the physical and functional characterization of the IPNS transcriptional unit. Transcriptional start point (tsp) mapping reveals heterogeneity at the 5'-end of the mRNA, with a major start at -106 relative to the initiation codon. This indicates that the actual length of the non-transcribed intergenic region is 525bp. Functional elements in the IPNS upstream region have been defined by assaying beta-galactosidase activity in extracts from recombinant strains carrying deletion derivatives of the IPNS promoter fused to lacZ, integrated in single copy at the argB locus. Strains were grown in penicillin production broth under carbon catabolite repressing or derepressing conditions. The results of deletion analysis indicate that: (i) the IPNS promoter is mostly regulated by negative controls that act upon a high basal activity; (ii) sequential deletion of three of the negative cis-acting elements results in a mutated promoter that is 40 times (sucrose broth) or 12 times (lactose broth) more active than the wild type; (iii) one of these negative cis-acting elements is involved in sucrose repression. Strikingly, it is located outside the non-transcribed 525bp intergenic region and maps to the coding region of the divergently transcribed ACVS gene; (iv) a 5'-deletion up to -56 (relative to the major tsp) contains information to provide almost half of the maximal promoter activity and allows initiation of transcription at the correct site. By using total-protein extracts from mycelia grown under penicillin producing conditions we have detected a DNA-binding activity that specifically shifts a promoter fragment located between -654 and -455 (relative to IPNS tsp). Deletions covering this region partially abolish IPNS promoter activity. The fragment in question overlaps the ACVS tsp.

Expression of fungal genes involved in penicllin biosynthesis

Carbon catabolite repression and pH regulation are regulatory circuits with a wide domain of action in the Plectomycetes. Penicillin biosynthesis is one of the pathways which are under their control. The conclusions obtained so far, which are based on studies of the genetic and molecular regulation of the penicillin pathway of Aspergillus nidulans, would have been much harder to produce using an organism such as Penicillium chrysogenum (the industrial penicillin producer). However, A. nidulans and P. chrysogenum are close in terms of their phylogeny and one can reasonably predict that the conclusions about A. nidulans, which are summarized in this review and which are of unquestionable biotechnological relevance, will be extrapolable to the industrial organism.

A homologous gene-reporter system for the basidiomycete Schizophyllum commune based on internally deleted homologous genes

Problems encountered in our attempts to achieve expression of heterologous genes, driven by ascomycetous regulatory sequences, in homobasidiomycetes led us to develop a gene-reporter system based on the expression of homologous genes in Schizophyllum commune. Internal deletions were made in the coding sequences of the regulated Sc4 gene and the constitutively expressed GPD gene. After introduction of these constructs into S. commune it was found that the expected truncated transcripts were produced. The internally deleted Sc4 gene, containing 1140bp of upstream and 200 bp of downstream sequences, was only expressed in dikaryons at the time of fruiting (as was the resident Sc4 gene) but not at all in monokaryons, indicating that the construct contained all regulatory sequences necessary and sufficient to confer control by the mating-type genes and expression during fruiting. The internally deleted GPD gene, containing 1300 bp of upstream and 150 bp of downstream sequences, was expressed both in monokaryons and dikaryons at levels similar to those of the resident GPD gene, indicating that all sequences necessary for proper expression were present. This reporter-gene system may be applicable to the analysis of cis-regulatory sequences of these genes. Furthermore, heterologous genes may be inserted into the well-expressed GPD deletion construct to obtain expression of such genes in S. commune and possibly in other homobasidiomycetes.

Spatial and temporal controls of the Aspergillus brlA developmental regulatory gene

The Aspergillus nidulans brlA gene encodes a transcriptional regulator of central importance in controlling conidiophore development. I have determined the effects of mutations in other developmental regulatory genes on expression of a brlA-lacZ fusion gene. Deletion of brlA reduced beta-galactosidase levels by half and led to delocalization of enzyme accumulation. The medA26 and abaA2 developmental mutations led to overexpression of the fusion gene without altering spatial specificity. In contrast, the stuA1 mutation did not affect the timing or levels of brlA expression during induction, but instead resulted in spatial derangement of expression. These results and the phenotypes of the mutants suggest a model in which subsets of morphogenetic loci are controlled by differing levels and combinations of regulatory gene products, which are themselves determined by interactions among the regulatory genes.

Characterization of the Trichoderma reesei cbh2 promoter

A 613-bp fragment of the 5' upstream region of the Trichoderma reesei cbh2 gene (coding for the cellulolytic enzyme cellobiohydrolase II) has been isolated and sequenced. Fusion of this fragment to the E. coli uidA gene (coding for beta-glucuronidase) leads to--albeit low--expression of beta-glucuronidase activity in the presence of cellulose and upon the addition of low molecular weight inducers (sophorose, lactose) of cellobiohydrolase II. It also governed the formation of beta-glucuronidase activity during sporulation and its transport to the conidial surface. However, despite the presence of a signal peptide in the cbh2:uidA fusion, beta-glucuronidase was not secreted in T. reesei. Defined fragments of the 613-bp promoter region were isolated and used to identify areas involved in the regulation of cbh2 expression by protein-DNA binding assays. At least two binding areas--between -443/-363 and -363/-173, respectively--were identified. In both areas, the DNA-protein complex observed was appreciably larger when cell-free extracts from sophorose-induced mycelia were used. This suggests that at least one of the proteins regulating cbh2 transcription is itself induced by cellulose.

Transformation of Acremonium coenophialum, a protective fungal symbiont of the grass Festuca arundinacea

Acremonium coenophialum is a mutualistic mycosymbiont and natural agent of biological protection of the widely distributed grass Festuca arundinacea (tall fescue). An electroporative transformation system was developed for A. coenophialum. Segments of DNA 5' to the beta-tubulin gene (tub2) of the closely related ascomycete Epichloë typhina, fused to the Escherichia coli hph gene encoding hygromycin B phosphotransferase, conferred hygromycin resistance when introduced into A. coenophialum by electroporation. The incorporation of the Emericella nidulans trpC terminator greatly increased protoplast germination on selective medium and improved transformation efficiencies 30-200% depending on the plasmid construct. Plasmid pCSN43, which incorporates the trpC controlling elements for hph expression, was also used to transform A. coenophialum. Southern blot analysis of ten pCSN43 transformants indicated the possibility of random integration of this vector into the genome.

An upstream activating sequence from the Aspergillus nidulans gpdA gene

Introduction of a previously identified promoter element of the Aspergillus nidulans gpdA gene (encoding glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase), the so-called gpd box, into the upstream region of the highly regulated A. nidulans amdS gene (encoding acetamidase), significantly increased (up to 30-fold) the expression of the lacZ reporter gene fused to these expression signals. This increase was dependent on the orientation of the gpd box and on the site of introduction into the amdS upstream region. The presence of additional gpdA sequences which flank the gpd box reduced or even extinguished positive effects of the gpd box. omega-Amino acid and carbon catabolite regulation of the amdS promoter were retained after introduction of the gpd box, indicating that the gpd box does not abolish interactions of the regulatory proteins, AmdR and CreA, with the amdS transcription control sequences. Based on the results, it is suggested that the gpd box comprises at least two separate activities: one being orientation dependent, but relatively independent of position of the gpd box in the upstream region, and the other is only functional near other sites of transcriptional control. Most likely, both activities are not involved in regulation of the amdS promoter.

Functional elements of the promoter region of the Aspergillus oryzae glaA gene encoding glucoamylase

Analysis was made of the promoter region of the Aspergillus oryzae glaA gene encoding glucoamylase. Northern blots using a glucoamylase cDNA as a probe indicated that the amount of mRNA corresponding to the glaA gene increased when expression was induced by starch or maltose. The promoter region of the glaA gene was fused to the Escherichia coli uidA gene, encoding beta-glucuronidase (GUS), and the resultant plasmid was introduced into A. oryzae. Expression of GUS protein in the A. oryzae transformants was induced by maltose, indicating that the glaA-GUS gene was regulated at the level of transcription in the presence of maltose. The nucleotide sequence 1.1 kb upstream of the glaA coding region was determined. A comparison of the nucleotide sequence of the A. oryzae glaA promoter with those of A. oryzae amyB, encoding alpha-amylase, and A. niger glaA showed two regions with similar sequences. Deletion and site-specific mutation analysis of these homologous regions indicated that both are essential for direct high-level expression when grown on maltose.

Cis-acting control elements 5' to aldA, the aldehyde dehydrogenase-encoding gene of Aspergillus niger

The aldA gene of Aspergillus niger encodes an aldehyde dehydrogenase. Chromosomal deletion of this gene using gene replacement techniques had defined several growth conditions, thought to involve aldehyde and semialdehyde intermediate, that require this enzyme. Reintroduction of aldA clones carrying in vitro-generated deletions in the promoter region into the aldA deletion strain has been used to identify three elements controlling aldA expression: an enhancer required for high-level expression, an ethanol induction-responsive element, and a fructose induction-responsive element.

Functional analysis of the expression of the 3'-phosphoglycerate kinase pgk gene in Aspergillus nidulans

A functional analysis of the Aspergillus nidulans 3-phosphoglycerate kinase pgk promoter was undertaken using gene fusions to the lacZ gene of Escherichia coli, and introducing these into a beta-galactosidase-deficient strain of A. nidulans. Expression of a particular gene fusion in transformed strains depends upon the site of integration of the vector into the genome, and when specifically targeted to the catabolic quinate dehydrogenase qutE (selective marker) locus is directly proportional to its copy number. The analysis of transformed strains with single copies of pgk promoter deletion--lacZ fusions at the qutE locus identified three constitutive, positively acting sequence elements in the pgk gene. Sequence located between -161 and -120 nucleotides relative to the transcript start site +1, and including an element with a seven-out-of-eight nucleotide match (AAGCAAAT; -131 to -124) to the consensus eukaryotic octamer sequence ATGCAAAT, is essential for expression, and deletion of the complete 41-nucleotide sequence abolishes transcription. Sequence encompassing codons 14 to 183 and including the two introns of pgk contributes approximately one-third of the total activity, and far upstream sequence 5' to position -638 contributes approximately a further one-third total activity. In addition, sequence located -638 to -488 nucleotides, which includes an apparent consensus feature of A. nidulans glycolytic genes, affects carbon source-dependent regulation of expression. This region is required for an approximately 50% increase in pgk expression when A. nidulans is grown on gluconeogenic compared with glycolytic carbon sources.

Molecular characterization and regulation of the phosphoglycerate kinase gene from Trichoderma viride

We have isolated the phosphoglycerate kinase gene (pgk) of Trichoderma viride and characterized its expression. Comparison of genomic and cDNA clones allowed the correct deduction of the intron boundaries and the 3'-end cleavage site of this gene. Primer extension analysis showed that transcription initiated at three start points between -296 and -298 bp upstream of the translational start codon. The promoter sequence contained a number of cis-acting sequences commonly found in eukaryotic promoters. The pgk transcript analysis of T. viride grown on defined carbon sources showed that neither rate nor growth phase greatly affects pgk expression. By contrast, when Trichoderma spp. were grown in the presence of cell walls of a phytopathogenic fungus as carbon source, pgk messenger levels dropped markedly. This suggests that pgk mRNA accumulation is specifically repressed in the simulated mycoparasitic state.

A two-component regulatory system for self/non-self recognition in Ustilago maydis

In U. maydis the multiallelic b locus controls sexual and pathogenic development. In the b locus a gene coding for a regulatory protein had been identified, and it was suggested that the interaction of two b polypeptides specified by different alleles programs sexual development in this fungus. We now demonstrate the existence of a second regulatory gene in the b locus. We term this gene bW and refer to the former as the bE gene. Both genes exist in many alleles. Although unrelated in primary sequence, both genes are similar in their overall organization. The gene products display allele-specific variability in their N-terminal domains, show a high degree of sequence conservation in the C-terminal domains, and contain a homeodomain-related motif. Genetic evidence is provided to show that the pair of bE and bW polypeptides encoded by different b alleles is the key regulatory species.

Construction of a fusion gene comprising the Taka-amylase A promoter and the Escherichia coli beta-glucuronidase gene and analysis of its expression in Aspergillus oryzae

Northern blot analysis of glucose-grown and starch-grown mycelia of Aspergillus oryzae RIB40 was conducted using the cloned Taka-amylase A (TAA) gene as a probe. The amount of mRNA homologous to the TAA gene was increased when this fungus was grown with starch as a sole carbon source. In order to analyze the induction mechanism, we inserted the Escherichia coli uidA gene encoding beta-glucuronidase (GUS) down-stream of the TAA promoter and introduced the resultant fusion gene into the A. oryzae genome. Production of a functional GUS protein was induced by starch, but not by glucose. When the effects of various sugars on expression of the fusion gene were examined, the results suggested that the expression of the fusion gene was under control of the TAA gene promoter.

A twin-reporter vector for simultaneous analysis of expression signals of divergently transcribed, contiguous genes in filamentous fungi

To analyze the promoter region(s) of divergently transcribed fungal genes, a twin-reporter vector was constructed. This vector contains two divergently oriented reported genes, encoding Escherichia coli beta-glucuronidase (uidA) and E. coli beta-galactosidase (lacZ). Terminator regions of the Aspergillus nidulans nitrate and nitrite reductase-encoding genes, niaD and niiA, respectively, have been cloned 3' to the reporter genes to ensure proficient transcription termination of the reporter genes. The reporter genes have been separated by a unique NotI restriction site, which can be used for the insertion of expression signals. A mutant argB selection marker has been introduced in order to obtain A. nidulans transformants with a single copy of the vector integrated at the argB locus. The use of the vector was demonstrated by insertion of the A. nidulans niaD-niiA intergenic region and analysis of A. nidulans transformants obtained with this construct. Control of expression of both reporter genes was found to be in accordance with previously published data on control of nitrate assimilation [Cove, Biol. Rev. 54 (1979) 291-327].

Molecular characterization and functional analysis in Aspergillus nidulans of the 5'-region of the Penicillium chrysogenum isopenicillin N synthetase gene

The isopenicillin N synthetase gene (pcbC) was isolated from a genomic library of Penicillium chrysogenum BC39813, a penicillin production strain. The nucleotide sequence, including 555 bp upstream of the translation start site was determined. Various deletions within the pcbC 5'-region were constructed and linked to the Escherichia coli lacZ gene. An Aspergillus nidulans argB strain was transformed with DNA of these constructions. The region essential for promoter function could be localized between positions -307 and -89 by analyzing beta-galactosidase expression of transformants containing a single copy of the corresponding plasmid integrated at the homologous argB locus. A region responsible for regulatory effects concerning nitrogen metabolism was identified by determining beta-galactosidase activities in cell-lysates of transformants cultivated under varying growth conditions. Two major transcription start sites at positions -131 and -132, as well as a further upstream located site at position -397 +/- 1 could be located by primer extension studies employing RNA isolated from P. chrysogenum BC39813.

Intracellular and extracellular production of proteins in Aspergillus under the control of expression signals of the highly expressed Aspergillus nidulans gpdA gene

The expression in Aspergillus is described of genes, coding for intracellular and extracellular proteins controlled by the promoter region of the constitutively and efficiently expressed glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase gene (gpdA) of Aspergillus nidulans. Both the homologous gpdA and the heterologous Escherichia coli beta-galactosidase (lacZ) and beta-glucuronidase (uidA) genes could be expressed intracellularly at levels as high as 10-25% of total soluble protein. Efficient extracellular production of A. niger glucoamylase could be achieved with a fusion-gene containing the region of the glucoamylase gene coding for the mature protein preceded by a synthetic fungal signal sequence. Extracellular production of a heterologous protein, E. coli beta-glucuronidase, with such a fusion was much less efficient. Only very low levels of beta-glucuronidase were detected in the culture fluid, whereas considerable enzyme activity was detected in the mycelium.

Regulation of the glaA gene of Aspergillus niger

The glucoamylase gene of Aspergillus niger, glaA, is expressed at high levels in the presence of starch. We have determined the nucleotide sequence of 1966 bp of the 5' flanking region of the glaA gene and have begun to identify sequences important for the control of glaA expression by deletion analysis. Constructs containing deletions extending into the glaA gene promoter were introduced into an A. niger host whose own glaA gene had been disrupted by a gene replacement event. Secreted levels of glucoamylase, expressed from each of the recombinant glaA genes, were measured by enzyme immunoassay. The effect of each deletion on the expression of glaA, when grown on differing carbon sources, was used to determine the limits of sequences upstream of glaA responsible for gene regulation. A region between -562 and -318 appears to direct high-level expression, whereas only 214 bp of 5' flanking sequence is required to initiate the start to transcription.

Functional elements in the promoter region of the Aspergillus nidulans gpdA gene encoding glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase

Analysis of the promoter region of the highly expressed Aspergillus nidulans gpdA gene is described. The nucleotide (nt) sequence of a 1.3-kb region upstream from the ATG was determined. Comparison with promoter regions of other Aspergillus and Neurospora genes revealed several regions of similar sequence. Both random and site-specific mutations were introduced into the promoter region of the gpdA gene, and the resulting mutant promoters were fused to the Escherichia coli lacZ gene. The constructed fusions were introduced into A. nidulans and transformants that contained one copy of these fusions at the argB locus were analysed. beta-Galactosidase assays and primer extension experiments were used to identify sequence elements involved in transcription activation and transcription initiation. Two elements, located around 650 and 250 nt upstream from the major transcription start point (tsp), were identified as transcription activation elements. These elements coincide with regions of putative secondary structure (direct or inverted repeats). A third element, a C + T-rich region directly upstream from the major tsp, was shown to be involved in correct initiation of transcription.