Open AccessIdentification of Mga1 , a G‐protein α‐subunit gene involved in regulating citrinin and pigment production in Monascus ruber M7
Author(s) -
Li Li,
Shao Yanchun,
Li Qi,
Yang Sha,
Chen Fusheng
Publication year - 2010
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.1574-6968.2010.01992.x
Subject(s) - citrinin , monascus , biology , protein subunit , heterotrimeric g protein , gene , biochemistry , food science , fermentation , g protein , mycotoxin , signal transduction
The filamentous fungi Monascus spp., which have been used in traditional fermented food in Asia for centuries, are well‐known producers of a group of bioactive metabolites that are widely used as food additives and nutraceutical supplements worldwide. However, its potential to produce the mycotoxin citrinin poses a threat to food safety. Here, a G‐protein α‐subunit‐encoding gene, Mga1 ( Monascus G‐protein alpha‐subunit 1), which encodes a protein showing a high degree of identity to Group I α‐subunits of fungal heterotrimeric G‐proteins, was cloned from Monascus ruber M7. An Mga1 ‐disrupted strain was obtained by homologous recombination. The disruptant produced approximately nine times more citrinin and 71% more pigments than the wild‐type strain M7, indicating that the G‐protein α‐subunit encoded by Mga1 is involved in a signal transduction pathway regulating citrinin and pigment biosynthesis in M. ruber M7.