Open AccessDevelopmental repression of growth and gene expression in Aspergillus.
Author(s) -
Tom Adams,
William E. Timberlake
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.011
H-Index - 771
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.87.14.5405
Subject(s) - aspergillus nidulans , biology , gene , psychological repression , gene expression , regulation of gene expression , regulator gene , genetics , alcohol dehydrogenase , microbiology and biotechnology , enzyme , biochemistry , mutant
Asexual reproductive development can be initiated in Aspergillus nidulans in the presence of excess nutrients through artificial induction of the developmental regulatory genes brlA or abaA by fusing the genes to the promoter from the alcohol dehydrogenase I gene (alcA) and culturing cells in the presence of an inducing alcohol. Artificially induced development completely inhibits growth and represses expression of the endogenous alcA gene and the coordinately controlled aldehyde dehydrogenase gene (aldA). Repression of alcA and aldA expression probably occurs at both the transcriptional and posttranslational levels. We propose that developmental induction results in a generalized metabolic shutdown, leading to an inability of cells to acquire nutrients from the growth medium. Self-imposed nutrient limitation could reinforce the primary developmental stimulus and ensure progression through the asexual reproductive pathway.