Cloning and characterization of the ornithine carbamoyltransferase gene from Aspergillus nidulans

Genetic transformation of the fungal pathogen responsible for rice blast disease

The analysis of complex genetic determinants that control the ability of a fungus to colonize its host has been impaired by the lack of sophisticated genetic tools for characterizing important pathogens. We have developed a system for the genetic transformation of Magnaporthe grisea, the causal agent of rice blast disease, to overcome this limitation. A M. grisea arginine auxotroph was shown to contain a mutation (arg3-12) that abolishes ornithine carbamoyltransferase activity. M. grisea strains that contain arg3-12 were used as recipients in transformation experiments with plasmid pMA2, which carries the ArgB(+) gene from Aspergillus nidulans. Stable prototrophic transformants arose at a frequency of about 35 per microgram of plasmid DNA. Integration of single or multiple plasmid copies occurred at a single site in the genome of each transformant; rearrangements were often created during integration. When M. grisea genomic segments were incorporated into pMA2, the presence of any one of five different M. grisea segments did not greatly affect the efficiency of transformation. Integration via homologous recombination occurred when the donor plasmid was linearized by cleaving at a unique restriction site within the M. grisea segment.

Multiple fungal enzymes possess cysteine synthase activity in vitro

We present evidence that there are at least three Aspergillus nidulans enzymes which catalyze in vitro the reaction of O-acetylserine (OAS) with sulfide forming cysteine. This activity is shared by cysteine synthase (CS) encoded by the cysB gene, homocysteine synthase encoded by cysD and by at least one more enzyme. Moreover, arginine, histidine or proline starvation leads to derepression of CS activity even in the cysB,cysD double mutant strains, while neither cysB nor cysD gene transcription is derepressed by amino acid starvation. Using a cpcA mutant, we show that starvation-inducible CS activity is under control of cross-pathway regulation. We identify CysF as a putative CS in A. nidulans. However, cysF gene transcription is not elevated by amino acid starvation. Therefore, it seems that there exists yet another enzyme, thus far unidentified, which possesses CS activity. Using mutants impaired during various steps of cysteine synthesis we prove that the cysB-encoded enzyme is the only CS of physiological importance in the studied fungus. Similar results were obtained with Schizosaccharomyces pombe mutant strains impaired in cysteine synthesis, indicating that the presence of multiple enzymes with in vitro CS activity may be a common feature of many fungal species.

Secondary metabolic gene cluster silencing in Aspergillus nidulans

In contrast to most primary metabolism genes, the genes involved in secondary metabolism and certain nutrient utilization pathways are clustered in fungi. Recently a nuclear protein, LaeA, was found to be required for the transcription of several secondary metabolite gene clusters in Aspergillus nidulans. Here we show that LaeA regulation does not extend to nutrient utilization or the spoC1 sporulation clusters. One of the secondary metabolite clusters regulated by LaeA contains the positive regulatory (i.e. aflR) and biosynthetic genes required for biosynthesis of sterigmatocystin (ST), a carcinogenic toxin. Analysis of ST gene cluster expression indicates LaeA regulation of the cluster is location specific as transcription of genes bordering the ST cluster are unaffected in a DeltalaeA mutant and placement of a primary metabolic gene, argB, in the ST cluster resulted in argB silencing in the DeltalaeA background. ST cluster gene expression was remediated when an additional copy of aflR was placed outside of the cluster but not when placed in the cluster. Site-specific mutation of an s-adenosyl methionine (AdoMet) binding site in LaeA generated a DeltalaeA phenotype suggesting the protein to be a methyltransferase.

HdaA, a major class 2 histone deacetylase of Aspergillus nidulans, affects growth under conditions of oxidative stress

Histone deacetylases (HDACs) catalyze the removal of acetyl groups from the epsilon-amino group of distinct lysine residues in the amino-terminal tail of core histones. Since the acetylation status of core histones plays a crucial role in fundamental processes in eukaryotic organisms, such as replication and regulation of transcription, recent research has focused on the enzymes responsible for the acetylation/deacetylation of core histones. Very recently, we showed that HdaA, a member of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae HDA1-type histone deacetylases, is a substantial contributor to total HDAC activity in the filamentous fungus Aspergillus nidulans. Now we demonstrate that deletion of the hdaA gene indeed results in the loss of the main activity peak and in a dramatic reduction of total HDAC activity. In contrast to its orthologs in yeast and higher eukaryotes, HdaA has strong intrinsic activity as a protein monomer when expressed as a recombinant protein in a prokaryotic expression system. In vivo, HdaA is involved in the regulation of enzymes which are of vital importance for the cellular antioxidant response in A. nidulans. Consequently, deltahdaA strains exhibit significantly reduced growth on substrates whose catabolism generates molecules responsible for oxidative stress conditions in the fungus. Our analysis revealed that reduced expression of the fungal catalase CatB is jointly responsible for the significant growth reduction of the hdaA mutant strains.

Development of a novel quadruple auxotrophic host transformation system byargBgene disruption usingadeAgene and exploiting adenine auxotrophy inAspergillus oryzae

We previously designed a triple auxotrophic host-vector system in Aspergillus oryzae by isolating red-colored adenine auxotrophic mutants upon UV mutagenesis of a double auxotrophic host (niaD-sC-). In the present study an effort to exploit this system and construct a novel quadruple auxotrophic host was made by disrupting the argB gene involved in arginine biosynthesis. The argB gene-disruption cassette was generated by fusion PCR, which required only two steps of PCR to insert the selectable marker, adeA, into the target argB gene. The chimeric DNA fragment was transformed into the triple auxotrophic strain (niaD-sC-adeA-) and the argB disruptants were obtained with a high rate of efficiency (approximately 40%). The argB disruptants were characterized by normal colony color and reversal of arginine auxotrophy by introduction of the wild-type argB gene. Quadruple auxotrophic strains (niaD-sC-DeltaargB adeA- or niaD-sC-DeltaargB adeB-) were subsequently isolated upon UV mutagenesis of the triple auxotrophic strain (niaD-sC-DeltaargB) followed by screening of red-colored colonies for adenine auxotrophy. The results obtained showed that the adeA gene served as an efficient selection marker in developing a novel host-vector system with quadruple auxotrophy in A. oryzae, thus providing a powerful tool to breed multiple auxotrophic mutants from a deuteromycete wherein sexual crossing is impossible.

The development of gene expression systems for filamentous fungi

Filamentous fungi have been used for decades in the commercial production of enzymes, antibiotics, and specialty chemicals. Traditionally, improving the yields of these products has involved either mutagenesis and screening or modification of fermentation conditions. Generally, selective breeding of strains has not been successful, because most of the commercially important fungal species lack a sexual cycle. For a few species, strain improvements have been made possible by employing the parasexual cycle for genetic crosses (30). The recent development of DNA-mediated transformation systems for several industrially important fungal species has spawned a flurry of research activity directed toward the development of gene expression systems for these microorganisms. This technology is now a viable means for novel and more directed approaches to improving existing fungal strains which produce enzymes or antibiotics. In addition, fungal expression systems are now being tested for the production of heterologous gene products such as mammalian pharmaceutical proteins. The goal of this review is to present a summary of the gene expression systems which have recently been developed for some filamentous fungi of commercial importance. To insure that the most recent developments are presented we have included data from not only scientific papers, but also from personal communications, abstracts, symposia, and our own laboratory.

Aspergillus nidulans mutants defective in stc gene cluster regulation

The genes involved in the biosynthesis of sterigmatocystin (ST), a toxic secondary metabolite produced by Aspergillus nidulans and an aflatoxin (AF) precursor in other Aspergillus spp., are clustered on chromosome IV of A. nidulans. The sterigmatocystin gene cluster (stc gene cluster) is regulated by the pathway-specific transcription factor aflR. The function of aflR appears to be conserved between ST- and AF-producing aspergilli, as are most of the other genes in the cluster. We describe a novel screen for detecting mutants defective in stc gene cluster activity by use of a genetic block early in the ST biosynthetic pathway that results in the accumulation of the first stable intermediate, norsolorinic acid (NOR), an orange-colored compound visible with the unaided eye. We have mutagenized this NOR-accumulating strain and have isolated 176 Nor(-) mutants, 83 of which appear to be wild type in growth and development. Sixty of these 83 mutations are linked to the stc gene cluster and are likely defects in aflR or known stc biosynthetic genes. Of the 23 mutations not linked to the stc gene cluster, 3 prevent accumulation of NOR due to the loss of aflR expression.

Analysis of fluG mutations that affect light-dependent conidiation in Aspergillus nidulans

Conidiation in Aspergillus nidulans is induced by exposure to red light but can also be induced by blue light in certain mutant strains. We have isolated a mutation in the fluG gene that abolishes responsiveness to red light but does not affect the response to blue light. It has been shown that the veA1 (velvet) mutation allows conidiation to occur in the absence of light. We have identified three other fluG mutations that suppress the veA1 phenotype; these double mutants do not conidiate in the dark. The mutations described here define two new phenotypic classes of fluG alleles that display abnormal responses to light. We have characterized these mutations with respect to their molecular identity and to their effect on fluG transcription. Although it has been shown that fluG is required for the synthesis of an extracellular factor that directs conidiation, we do not detect this factor under conditions that promote conidiation in the veA1 suppressors. Furthermore, extracellular rescue is not observed in fluG deletion strains containing the wild-type veA allele. We propose that a genetic interaction between fluG and veA influences the production of the extracellular signal and regulates the initiation of conidiation.

Aspergillus sporulation and mycotoxin production both require inactivation of the FadA G alpha protein-dependent signaling pathway

The filamentous fungus Aspergillus nidulans contains a cluster of 25 genes that encode enzymes required to synthesize a toxic and carcinogenic secondary metabolite called sterigmatocystin (ST), a precursor of the better known fungal toxin aflatoxin (AF). One ST Cluster (stc) gene, aflR, functions as a pathway-specific transcriptional regulator for activation of other genes in the ST pathway. However, the mechanisms controlling activation of aflR and synthesis of ST and AF are not understood. Here we show that one important level for control of stc gene expression requires genes that were first identified as early acting regulators of asexual sporulation. Specifically, we found that loss-of-function mutations in flbA, which encodes a RGS domain protein, or dominant activating mutations in fadA, which encodes the alpha subunit of a heterotrimeric G protein, block both ST production and asexual sporulation. Moreover, overexpression of flbA or dominant interfering fadA mutations cause precocious stc gene expression and ST accumulation, as well as unscheduled sporulation. The requirement for flbA in sporulation and ST production could be suppressed by loss-of-function fadA mutations. The ability of flbA to activate stc gene expression was dependent upon another early acting developmental regulator, fluG, and AflR, the stc gene-specific transcription factor. These results are consistent with a model in which both asexual sporulation and ST production require inactivation of proliferative growth through inhibition of FadA-dependent signaling. This regulatory mechanism is conserved in AF-producing fungi and could therefore provide a means of controlling AF contamination.

Aspergillus nidulans stcL encodes a putative cytochrome P-450 monooxygenase required for bisfuran desaturation during aflatoxin/sterigmatocystin biosynthesis

The Aspergillus nidulans stcL gene is predicted to encode a cytochrome P-450 monooxygenase and is located within a cluster of other genes that are required for synthesis of sterigmatocystin. Inactivation of stcL resulted in strains that accumulate dihydrosterigmatocystin, a tetrahydrobisfuran containing molecule that is very similar to the unsaturated product of the wild-type pathway, sterigmatocystin. This observation led us to hypothesize that the A. nidulans sterigmatocystin biosynthetic pathway is branched similarly to the aflatoxin pathway in Aspergillus parasiticus and Aspergillus flavus and that StcL is required for the desaturation of the bisfuran moiety in the sterigmatocystin/aflatoxin precursor versicolorin B. This prediction was confirmed by feeding the stcL mutant with the subsequent pathway intermediate, versicolorin A, which resulted in accumulation of both sterigmatocystin and dihydrosterigmatocystin, indicating that StcL functions before versicolorin A synthesis. A. nidulans stcU was shown previously to encode a ketoreductase required to convert versicolorin A to demethylsterigmatocystin and an stcL, stcU double mutant strain was shown here to accumulate only versicolorin B. These results indicate that both versicolorin A and versicolorin B can serve as substrates for StcU, resulting in a branched pathway. The final product of each branch are sterigmatocystin and dihydrosterigmatocystin, respectively.

Phanerochaete chrysosporium glyoxal oxidase is encoded by two allelic variants: structure, genomic organization, and heterologous expression of glx1 and glx2

A cDNA clone (glx-2c) encoding glyoxal oxidase (GLOX) was isolated from a Phanerochaete chrysosporium lambda gt11 library, and its nucleotide sequence was shown to be distinct from that of the previously described clone glx-1c (P. J. Kersten and D. Cullen, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 90:7411-7413, 1993). Genomic clones corresponding to both cDNAs were also isolated and sequenced. overall nucleotide sequence identity was 98%, and the predicted proteins differed by a single residue: Lys-308<==>Thr-308. Analyses of parental dikaryotic strain BKM-F-1767 and homokaryotic progeny firmly established allelism for these structural variants. Southern blots of pulsed-field gels localized the GLOX gene (glx) to a dimorphic chromosome separate from the peroxidase and cellobiohydrolase genes of P. chrysosporium. Controlled expression of active GLOX was obtained from Aspergillus nidulans transformants when glx-1c was fused to the promoter and secretion signal of the A. niger glucoamylase gene. The GLOX isozyme corresponding to glx-2c was also efficiently secreted by A. nidulans following site-specific mutagenesis of the expression vector at codon 308 of glx-1c.

Cloning and molecular characterization of hxA, the gene coding for the xanthine dehydrogenase (purine hydroxylase I) of Aspergillus nidulans

We have cloned and sequenced the hxA gene coding for the xanthine dehydrogenase (purine hydroxylase I) of Aspergillus nidulans. The gene codes for a polypeptide of 1363 amino acids. The sequencing of a nonsense mutation, hxA5, proves formally that the clones isolated correspond to the hxA gene. The gene sequence is interrupted by three introns. Similarity searches reveal two iron-sulfur centers and a NAD/FAD-binding domain and have enabled a consensus sequence to be determined for the molybdenum cofactor-binding domain. The A. nidulans sequence is a useful outclass for the other known sequences, which are all from metazoans. In particular, it gives added significance to the missense mutations sequenced in Drosophila melanogaster and leads to the conclusion that while one of the recently sequenced human genes codes for a xanthine dehydrogenase, the other one must code for a different molybdenum-containing hydroxylase, possibly an aldehyde oxidase. The transcription of the hxA gene is induced by the uric acid analogue 2-thiouric acid and repressed by ammonium. Induction necessitates the product of the uaY regulatory gene.

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.

Heterologous protein secretion directed by a repressible acid phosphatase system of Aspergillus niger

A new expression-secretion system of Aspergillus niger which directs the secretion of heterologous proteins is described. The promoter and signal peptide-encoding region of the phosphate-repressible aphA gene of A. niger, when fused to the coding region of the human interferon alpha 2 (hIFN alpha 2)-encoding gene (hIFN alpha 2), drives the expression of this gene and the secretion of the hIFN alpha 2 protein. Synthesis of hIFN alpha 2 in either A. niger or A. nidulans transformants carrying these constructs was regulated by inorganic phosphate (Pi) present in the medium, so that derepression of heterologous protein expression can be attained by lowering Pi concentration.

Cloning of an Aspergillus niger invertase gene by expression in Trichoderma reesei

The filamentous fungus Aspergillus niger produces two glycosylated forms of the sucrose-hydrolysing enzyme, invertase. In contrast, some Trichoderma species lack invertase and are unable to utilise sucrose as a sole carbon source. Using an A. niger genomic library constructed in a cosmid vector containing the ura5 gene of Podospora anserina as a selectable marker, and the T. reesei ura5- strain as a sucrose-minus recipient strain, an A. niger invertase gene (suc1) has been cloned by a sib selection procedure. PAGE and enzyme analysis confirmed that transformants had acquired invertase activity. The cloned gene contained DNA sequences which were complementary to the amino-acid sequences of tryptic peptides found in invertase purified from A. niger. The suc1 invertase gene can be used as a dominant selectable marker for the transformation of Trichoderma strains.

Expression of a bacterial aspartase gene in Aspergillus nidulans: an efficient system for selecting multicopy transformants

The Escherichia coli aspartase gene aspA has been expressed in the fungus Aspergillus nidulans using the powerful constitutive gpdA promoter and trpC terminator, both from A. nidulans. Multiple, but not single, copies of aspA overcome nutritional deficiencies resulting from the loss of catabolic NAD-linked glutamate dehydrogenase. They also circumvent certain nutritional deficiencies resulting from loss of the positive-acting regulatory gene product mediating nitrogen metabolite repression. Both of these cases of physiological suppression involve the aspartase-catalyzed catabolism of aspartate to ammonium plus fumarate. No physiological evidence for the opposite reaction leading to aspartate synthesis was obtained as multiple copies of aspA did not affect the phenotype resulting from the loss of anabolic NADP-linked glutamate dehydrogenase. The use of vectors containing aspA and recipients lacking NAD-linked glutamate dehydrogenase is an efficient means of selecting multicopy transformants in A. nidulans and also offers the possibility to select strains having increased aspartase levels from original transformants.

Isolation of a gene required for programmed initiation of development by Aspergillus nidulans

In contrast to many other cases in microbial development, Aspergillus nidulans conidiophore production initiates primarily as a programmed part of the life cycle rather than as a response to nutrient deprivation. Mutations in the acoD locus result in "fluffy" colonies that appear to grow faster than the wild type and proliferate as undifferentiated masses of vegetative cells. We show that unlike wild-type strains, acoD deletion mutants are unable to make conidiophores under optimal growth conditions but can be induced to conidiate when growth is nutritionally limited. The requirement for acoD in conidiophore development occurs prior to activation of brlA, a primary regulator of development. The acoD transcript is present both in vegetative hyphae prior to developmental induction and in developing cultures. However, the effects of acoD mutations are detectable only after developmental induction. We propose that acoD activity is primarily controlled at the posttranscriptional level and that it is required to direct developmentally specific changes that bring about growth inhibition and activation of brlA expression to result in conidiophore development.

Isolation of a gene required for programmed initiation of development by Aspergillus nidulans

In contrast to many other cases in microbial development, Aspergillus nidulans conidiophore production initiates primarily as a programmed part of the life cycle rather than as a response to nutrient deprivation. Mutations in the acoD locus result in "fluffy" colonies that appear to grow faster than the wild type and proliferate as undifferentiated masses of vegetative cells. We show that unlike wild-type strains, acoD deletion mutants are unable to make conidiophores under optimal growth conditions but can be induced to conidiate when growth is nutritionally limited. The requirement for acoD in conidiophore development occurs prior to activation of brlA, a primary regulator of development. The acoD transcript is present both in vegetative hyphae prior to developmental induction and in developing cultures. However, the effects of acoD mutations are detectable only after developmental induction. We propose that acoD activity is primarily controlled at the posttranscriptional level and that it is required to direct developmentally specific changes that bring about growth inhibition and activation of brlA expression to result in conidiophore development.

Arginine and proline genes of Aspergillus niger

Aspergillus niger mutants defective in arginine or proline biosynthesis have been isolated and 12 genetic loci were identified. Mutation was induced by low doses UV, and mutants were isolated after filtration enrichment. The mutants were classified according to their phenotype in growth tests and were further characterized in complementation tests. The arginine auxotrophic mutants represent nine complementation groups. Three additional complementation groups were found for mutants that could grow on proline (two of them on arginine too). Linkage group analysis was done in somatic diploids obtained from a mutant and a master strain with genetic markers on six chromosomes. The arg genes belong to six different linkage groups and the pro genes to two. One arg-mutant could be complemented by transformation with the A. nidulans argB+ gene, and this A. niger gene thus appeared to be homologous to the A. nidulans argB. We isolated an A. niger strain with the argB gene tightly linked with the nicA1 marker. This strain is very suitable as acceptor for transformation with an argB-plasmid, because transformants with inserts on the homologous site can be recognized and analyzed genetically using the nicA1 marker gene.

Genetic transformation of auxotrophic mutants of the filamentous yeast Trichosporon cutaneum using homologous and heterologous marker genes

A transformation system for the filamentous yeast Trichosporon cutaneum based on auxotrophic markers is presented and techniques for the induction, isolation and characterization of mutants are described. A number of auxotrophic mutants were isolated and characterized by using biosynthetic precursors and/or inhibitors. A mutant unable to grow in the presence of ornithine could be complemented successfully by spheroplast transformation experiments using the cloned Aspergillus nidulans ornithine transcarbamoylase gene (argB gene) as selection marker with an efficiency of 5-100 transformants per microgram of DNA. In these transformants the heterologous argB gene was present in multiple tandem copies and the transforming DNA was found to remain stable after more than 50 generations in non-selective media. The same mutant could be complemented by a T. cutaneum cosmid gene library and a complementary cosmid was subsequently isolated from this library by a sib-selection strategy. This cosmid transformed T. cutaneum spheroblasts with an efficiency of 50-200 colonies per microgram of DNA. Southern blot analyses were consistent with the view that the transforming sequences became stably integrated into the host genome at the homologous site.

Expression of the Aspergillus niger glucose oxidase gene in A. niger, A. nidulans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae

We report the cloning of the Aspergillus niger glucose oxidase gene and its use to elevate glucose oxidase productivity in A. niger by increasing the gene dosage. In addition, the gene has been introduced into A. nidulans where it provides the novel capacity to produce glucose oxidase. A plasmid, in which DNA encoding the mature form of glucose oxidase was preceded by a Saccharomyces cerevisiae secretion signal, effected high-level production of extracellular glucose oxidase in this yeast.

The development of a heterologous transformation system for the cellulolytic fungus Trichoderma reesei based on a pyrG-negative mutant strain

Six uridine auxotroph mutants of Trichoderma reesei QM 9414 were isolated by resistance to 5-fluoroorotic acid and one strain was identified as OMP-decarboxylase negative (pyr-) by a radiometric enzyme assay. Transformation to uridine prototrophy was achieved with the pyr4 gene of Neurospora crassa (up to 1500 transformants/micrograms) and with pyrA of Aspergillus niger (700-800 transformants/micrograms). In many transformants the PYR+ function seems to be present as extrachromosomal DNA. There is evidence for a correlation between the stability of transformants and integration of the vector in the genome whereas unstable transformants are obtained when autonomous replication of the plasmid occurs.

Cloning and sequencing of the ornithine carbamoyltransferase gene from Pachysolen tannophilus

A fragment of DNA from a yeast Pachysolen tannophilus, bearing the ornithine carbamoyltransferase gene (OCTase, EC 2.1.3.3) has been cloned from a genomic library by functional complementation of the Escherichia coli OCT-negative mutant. The gene was located within the cloned segment of DNA and its coding sequence identified by DNA sequencing. This has indicated that P. tannophilus OCT gene encodes a 347 amino acid polypeptide, which shows 60% identity to the homologous Saccharomyces cerevisiae protein. The amino acid composition of its N-terminus indicates that this protein is translocated across the mitochondrial membrane. The gene can be expressed in E. coli as well as in S. cerevisiae. Comparison with other OCTases confirms a high degree of conservation among these proteins.

Cloning of a new bidirectionally selectable marker for Aspergillus strains

Mutants that lack adenosine triphosphate sulfurylase (ATPsase; EC 2.7.7.4) are unable to use sulfate as sole source of sulfur and are also resistant to selenate. These mutants, denoted sC-, are readily obtained from any strain of Aspergillus niger or Aspergillus nidulans by the strong selection for selenate resistance. We have cloned the gene encoding ATPsase from A. nidulans by complementation of an sC mutant strain of A. nidulans with a gene library and show that plasmids containing this gene transform both A. niger and A. nidulans sC- strains, restoring their ability to grow on sulfate as sole sulfur source. The fact that strong selection for either sC+ or sC- can be applied provides a simple way of delivering genetically engineered constructs to any strain of A. niger including strains of industrial importance. In addition, this system is useful for gene replacements and other genomic DNA manipulations in Aspergillus species.

Electrophoretic karyotype of Aspergillus nidulans

An electrophoretic karyotype of Aspergillus nidulans has been obtained using contour-clamped homogeneous electric field gel electrophoresis. Six chromosomal bands were separated, with two of the bands migrating as doublets. Using the Schizosaccharomyces pombe and Saccharomyces cerevisiae chromosomes as size standards, we estimate the sizes of the chromosomes to be between 2.9 and 5.0 megabase pairs (mb) with a total genome size of approximately 31 mb. Four of the eight genetic linkage groups were assigned to chromosomal bands by hybridization of contour-clamped homogeneous electric field gel blots with various radiolabeled probes each specific to a particular linkage group. Contour-clamped homogeneous electric field gel analysis of reciprocal translocation strains gave chromosomal assignments for the four remaining linkage groups. In order of decreasing size, the A. nidulans chromosomes are: VIII (5.0 mb), VII (4.5 mb), II (4.2 mb), I and V (3.8 mb), III and VI (3.5 mb), and IV (2.9 mb).

Genetic engineering of filamentous fungi

Filamentous fungi are important in medicine, industry, agriculture, and basic biological research. For example, some fungal species are pathogenic to humans, whereas others produce beta-lactam antibiotics (penicillin and cephalosporin). Industrial strains produce large amounts of enzymes, such as glucoamylase and proteases, and low molecular weight compounds, such as citric acid. The largest and most economically important group of plant pathogens are fungi. Several fungal species have biological properties and genetic systems that make them ideally suited for basic biological research. Recently developed techniques for genetic engineering of filamentous fungi make it possible to alter their detrimental and beneficial activities in novel ways.

A phosphate-repressible acid phosphatase gene from Aspergillus niger: its cloning, sequencing and transcriptional analysis

The cloning and sequencing of an Aspergillus niger gene encoding a secreted form of phosphate-repressible acid phosphatase by complementation of a pacA (phosphate-repressible acid phosphatase) mutant of Aspergillus nidulans is described. The gene contains two introns, 201 and 265 nt in length, and codes for a 1.6-kb transcript. Both phosphate concentration and pH of the growth medium affect the level of expression of the gene in A. niger. Similar regulation is observed in A. nidulans transformants. A putative signal peptide, resembling known signal sequences of yeast, is identified.

Regulatory region of the Aspergillus nidulans argB gene

We have constructed a series of deletion plasmids which contain the Aspergillus nidulans argB gene for ornithine carbamoyltransferase (OTC). These deletions comprise the 5' upstream sequence of the argB gene. The pro- arg- strain of A. nidulans was transformed with the above plasmids. Several arg+ transformants of integration types I and II, obtained using each of the deletion plasmids, were studied, and their ability to de-repress OTC level by proline starvation was compared. It was concluded that nucleotides located between -150 and -50 bp upstream of the argB gene are significant for its cross-pathway regulation. This regulatory region contains three copies of the TGACTC hexanucleotide which is a cis-acting regulatory sequence of general amino acid control in yeast.

Sequence and centromere proximal location of a transformation enhancing fragment ans1 from Aspergillus nidulans

The Aspergillus nidulans sequence ans1, previously known to enhance transformation frequencies of pyr4-based vectors, was shown to enhance the efficiency of argB and trpC-based vectors. Increased efficiencies could be obtained by constructing vectors containing argB and ans1 or by cotransforming selectable plasmids (containing argB, trpC, or pyr4) with the non-selectable ans1 sequence. The preponderance of evidence suggests that the mechanism of ans1 activity does not involve homologous recombination events, in spite of the presence of multiple regions of homology in the A. nidulans genome. Genetic mapping localized ans1 to the vicinity of the centromere of linkage group I. The nucleotide sequence of a 1.8 Kb functional subclone of ans1 was determined and found to be highly A + T rich (81%).

Saccharomyces cerevisiae centromere CEN11 does not induce chromosome instability when integrated into the Aspergillus nidulans genome

We constructed Aspergillus nidulans transformation plasmids containing the A. nidulans argB+ gene and either containing or lacking centromeric DNA from Saccharomyces cerevisiae chromosome XI (CEN11). The plasmids transformed an argB Aspergillus strain to arginine independence at indistinguishable frequencies. Stable haploid transformants were obtained with both plasmids, and strains were identified in which the plasmids had integrated into chromosome III by homologous recombination at the argB locus. Plasmid DNA was recovered from a transformant containing CEN11, and the sequence of the essential portion of CEN11 was determined to be unaltered. The transformants were further characterized by using them to construct heterozygous diploids and then testing the diploids for preferential loss of the plasmid-containing chromosomes. The CEN11 sequence had little or no effect on chromosome stability. Thus, CEN11 does not prevent chromosomal integration of plasmid DNA and probably lacks centromere activity in Aspergillus spp.

Recombinant DNA in filamentous fungi: progress and prospects

Recombinant DNA technology enables the creation of well-defined alterations in the genetic material of an organism. Methods to manipulate recombinant DNA in the filamentous fungi (a group of microorganisms that includes species of academic as well as commercial interest) have recently been developed. This has been the result of adaptation of procedures successfully employed in the manipulation of other microorganisms. There are a number of similarities in the behavior of recombinant DNA in different fungi, but a number of differences have also been observed between the filamentous and the nonfilamentous fungi. Such differences include the ability to identify DNA replication origins and the host range of expression of fungal genes.

Cloning and molecular analysis of the ornithine carbamoyl transferase gene of Aspergillus niger

We have cloned the gene encoding ornithine carbamoyl transferase (OCTase) from Aspergillus niger. The structure and complete nucleotide sequence of this gene have been determined. The gene encodes an mRNA of 1.3 kb. The transcription unit contains an open reading frame of 1110 nucleotides (nt) which shows strong homology to the OCTase of Aspergillus nidulans along most of its length. The N terminus, which shows little or no homology to other OCTases, is highly basic and is probably involved in mitochondrial targeting.

Cloning, mapping and molecular analysis of the pyrG (orotidine-5'-phosphate decarboxylase) gene of Aspergillus nidulans

We have modified the transformation procedures of Ballance et al. [Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 112 (1983) 284-289] to give increased rates of transformation in Aspergillus nidulans. With the modified procedures we have been able to complement pyrG89, a mutation in the orotidine-5'-phosphate decarboxylase gene of A. nidulans, by transformation with a library of wild-type (wt) sequences in pBR329. We have recovered, by marker rescue from one such transformant, a plasmid (pJR15) that carries an A. nidulans sequence that complements pyrG89 efficiently. In three experiments, this plasmid gave an average of 1985 stable transformants/micrograms of transforming DNA. We have analyzed ten of these genetically and by Southern hybridization. In five transformants a single copy of the transforming plasmid had integrated at the pyrG locus, in one transformant several copies of pJR15 had integrated at this locus, in one transformant several copies of the plasmid had integrated into other sites, and in three transformants, the wt allele had apparently replaced the mutant allele with no integration of pBR329 sequences. Sequence and S1 nuclease protection analysis revealed that pJR15 contains a gene that predicts an amino acid sequence with regions of strong homology to the orotidine-5'-phosphate decarboxylases of Neurospora crassa and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We conclude that this gene is the wt pyrG allele. Finally, we have compared the 5'- and 3'-noncoding sequences and intron splice sequences to other genes of A. nidulans and have mapped the pyrG locus to a region between the fpaB and galD loci on linkage group I.

A versatile transformation system for the cellulolytic filamentous fungus Trichoderma reesei

An efficient transformation system for the cellulolytic filamentous fungus Trichoderma reesei has been developed. Transformation was obtained with plasmid carrying the dominant selectable marker amdS or the argB gene of Aspergillus nidulans, which was found to complement the respective argB mutation of T. reesei. The transformation frequency can be up to 600 transformants per microgram of transforming DNA. The efficiency of co-transformation with unselected DNA was high (approx. 80%). The transforming DNA was found to be integrated at several different locations, often in multiple tandem copies in the T. reesei genome. In addition, the Escherichia coli beta-galactosidase was expressed in T. reesei in enzymatically active form from the A. nidulans gpd promoter.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae centromere CEN11 does not induce chromosome instability when integrated into the Aspergillus nidulans genome

We constructed Aspergillus nidulans transformation plasmids containing the A. nidulans argB+ gene and either containing or lacking centromeric DNA from Saccharomyces cerevisiae chromosome XI (CEN11). The plasmids transformed an argB Aspergillus strain to arginine independence at indistinguishable frequencies. Stable haploid transformants were obtained with both plasmids, and strains were identified in which the plasmids had integrated into chromosome III by homologous recombination at the argB locus. Plasmid DNA was recovered from a transformant containing CEN11, and the sequence of the essential portion of CEN11 was determined to be unaltered. The transformants were further characterized by using them to construct heterozygous diploids and then testing the diploids for preferential loss of the plasmid-containing chromosomes. The CEN11 sequence had little or no effect on chromosome stability. Thus, CEN11 does not prevent chromosomal integration of plasmid DNA and probably lacks centromere activity in Aspergillus spp.

Molecular analysis of the argB gene of Aspergillus nidulans

The transcriptional organization and sequence of the Aspergillus nidulans argB gene, encoding ornithine carbamoyl transferase (OCTase; E.C. 2.1.3.3.), was determined. Transcription of the gene begins within a methionine-initiated open translation reading frame, indicating that a second methionine codon of the open reading frame is used for translation initiation. The predicted length of the OCTase precursor peptide is 359 amino acids, and it contains a highly basic amino terminus that is probably involved in mitochondrial targeting. There is extensive homology between Aspergillus OCTase and mammalian and bacterial OCTases and weaker homology between the Aspergillus polypeptide and bacterial arginine carbamoyl transferase.

Genetic and molecular characterization of argB+ transformants of Aspergillus nidulans

Thirty-three argB- to argB+ transformants of Aspergillus nidulans have been subjected to genetic and molecular analysis. Two showed high levels of mitotic instability although it is suggested that this is a consequence of heterokaryosis rather than instability of the transformation event. Most transformants resulted from the integration of the transforming DNA in tandem with the chromosomal argB locus. The maximum number of inserted sequences was two, to generate three copies of the argB locus. The other main transformant type showed replacement of the argB- mutation by the wild-type allele present on the transforming plasmid. Transformants were also recovered in which the transforming DNA had integrated into non-homologous chromosomal regions. Selfed or hybrid cleistothetica from all transformants, except the gene replacement types gave arginine requiring recombinants. Most transformants showed low levels of meiotic instability. Others displayed varying levels which in some cases differed between selfed and hybrid cleistotheticia. There was some correlation between meiotic instability and the nature of the transformation event. Diploid parasexual and aneuploid analysis located the integrated DNA in each transformant to chromosome III. Two transformants were isolated as heterozygous diploids. A third diploid was isolated as a stable mitotic segregant from one of the mitotically unstable transformants.

Cloning of the arg-12 gene of Neurospora crassa and regulation of its transcript via cross-pathway amino acid control

The arg-12 locus of Neurospora crassa encodes ornithine carbamoyl transferase, which is one of many amino acid synthetic enzymes whose activity is regulated through cross-pathway (or general) amino acid control. We report here the use of probes derived from the functionally equivalent arg-B gene of Aspergillus nidulans to identify and clone a 10 kb Neurospora DNA fragment carrying the arg-12 gene. Short Neurospora DNA probes derived from this fragment were used to identify a 1.5 kb polyA+ transcript of the arg-12 region. Arg-12 transcript levels increased approximately 20 fold under conditions of arginine or histidine limitation in strains having normal cross-pathway regulation (cpc-1+) but showed no such response in a cpc-1 mutant strain impaired in this regulation. Time course studies in cpc-1+ strains revealed a rapid response (within 10 m) of arg-12 transcript levels following inhibition of histidine synthesis by 3 amino 1,2,4 triazole, but a delayed response following arginine deprivation of an arginine requiring strain. In contrast to the behaviour of arg-12 mRNA, the level of the Neurospora am gene transcript (specifying NADP dependent glutamate dehydrogenase) was unaffected either by amino acid limitation or by the cpc-1 mutation. A possible role for the cpc-1+ product as a positive regulator of transcription of genes subject to cross-pathway control is discussed.