Open AccessIdentification and linkage mapping of the phsA gene of Aspergillus nidulans , where mutation affects growth and pigmentation of colonies in a temperature‐ and pH‐dependent way
Author(s) -
Cuadros Sara C,
MartinezRossi Nilce M,
Rossi Antonio
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
fems microbiology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1574-6968
pISSN - 0378-1097
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-6968.1999.tb13418.x
Subject(s) - aspergillus nidulans , mutant , mutation , biology , sorbitol , genetics , phenotype , conidiation , strain (injury) , wild type , biochemistry , gene , microbiology and biotechnology , anatomy
Abstract We report the isolation and characterization of a mutant strain of the mold Aspergillus nidulans showing an altered response to environmental pH, including a reduction in its pH range for growth and the production of a melanin‐like pigment at alkaline pH. We also show that the mutant strain is not detergent‐sensitive and that its acid sensitivity is osmotically remediable with 0.5 M NaCl or 1.0 M sorbitol. Furthermore, the mutant phenotype is temperature‐remediable with respect to pigmentation, extent of conidiation and growth diameter, with the restoration of a wild‐type phenotype to the mutant strain being observed at 28°C. On the other hand, the severity of the mutant phenotype is increased at 40°C. Genetic analysis shows that this pH‐ and temperature‐sensitive mutation, named phsA 1, is located on the right arm of linkage group I of A. nidulans , between pabaA and yA , and that mutation phsA 1 is recessive.