A velvet8208;like complex in Penicillium chrysogenum: the two faces of PcVelC

Ref ID: 18521

Author:

Sandra Bloemendal, Birgit Hoff, Katarina Kopke, Alexandra Katschorowski, Sarah Milbredt, Jens Kamerewerd,
Ulrich Kück

Author address:

Christian Doppler Labor für “œBiotechnologie der Pilze”, Lehrstuhl für Allgemeine und Molekulare Botanik, Ruhr-
Universität Bochum, 44780 Bochum  

Full conference title:

11 th European Conference on Fungal Genetics

Abstract:

The filamentous fungus Penicillium chrysogenum is the main industrial producer of the pharmaceutically relevant
beta8208;lactam antibiotic penicillin. All three biosynthesis genes are found in a single cluster and the expression of
these genes is known to be controlled by a complex network of global regulators. Recently, the velvet complex
containing several global regulators of secondary metabolism was described for the model fungus Aspergillus
nidulans. Next to the founding member VeA, several other velvet8208;like proteins were meanwhile identified in A.
nidulans and many other filamentous fungi.
Here we provide a functional analysis of a velvet8208;like complex in P. chrysogenum with structurally conserved
components that have distinct developmental roles, illustrating the functional plasticity of these regulators in
genera other than Aspergillus. Data from penicillin bioassays, quantification of conidiospores as well as detailed
microscopic investigations of these knockout mutants clearly show that all velvet8208;like proteins are involved in
secondary metabolism and other distinct developmental processes. Interestingly, the velvet8208;like protein PcVelC
seems to be a major regulator of penicillin biosynthesis and conidiation. By protein8208;protein interaction studies
using bimolecular fluorescence complementation, tandem8208;affinity purification and yeast two8208;hybrid, we want to
extend the analysis of the velvet8208;like complex in P. chrysogenum. These analyses will focus on the velvet8208;like
protein PcVelC to elucidate its opposing roles in the regulation of penicillin biosynthesis and conidiation. Our
results widen the current picture of regulatory networks controlling both fungal secondary metabolism and
morphogenesis, which is significant for the genetic manipulation of fungal metabolism as part of industrial strain
improvement programs.

Abstract Number: PR8.23

Conference Year: 2012

Link to conference website: http://www.ecfg.info/images/Abstract_Book_Electronic.pdf

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