Open AccessCharacterization of Aspergillus nidulans Mutants in Carbon Metabolism Isolated after D-Galacturonate Enrichment
Author(s) -
J.H.A.A. Uitzetter,
C.J. Bos,
Jaap Visser
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.019
H-Index - 179
eISSN - 1465-2080
pISSN - 1350-0872
DOI - 10.1099/00221287-132-5-1167
Subject(s) - aspergillus nidulans , mutant , complementation , biology , biochemistry , pyruvate carboxylase , pyruvate dehydrogenase complex , catabolism , dehydrogenase , metabolism , microbiology and biotechnology , enzyme , gene
A selective method for the isolation of Aspergillus nidulans mutants defective in the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex was devised. The essential steps in the procedure were a mutagenic treatment of conidia with X-rays to about 50% survival, followed by filtration enrichment in minimal medium with D-galacturonate as sole carbon source, and rescue on complete medium with acetate. The mutants thus isolated were phenotypically characterized on the basis of growth tests, and different genotypes were assigned on the basis of complementation tests. The majority of the mutants that were unable to utilize galacturonate were defective in one of the components of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex. In addition, mutants defective in pyruvate carboxylase, mutants defective in glycerol catabolism and some novel mutants which were only unable to use D-galacturonate as carbon source were found. At least two genes were shown to be involved in D-galacturonate metabolism.