Fungal8208;insect interactions with respect to secondary metabolism

Ref ID: 18492

Author:

Annika Regulin, Ulrike Fohgrub, Frank Kempken

Full conference title:

11 th European Conference on Fungal Genetics

Abstract:

Fungi synthesize an astonishing variety of secondary metabolites, some of which belong to the most toxic
compounds in the living world. Even though little is known about the benefit of these metabolites, the ability to
regulate the secondary metabolism might be seen as an evolutionary adaptation. Presumably fungi regulate
secondary metabolites (e.g. mycotoxine) in response to confrontation with natural competitors like insects to
guarantee efficient exploitation of environmental resources (18208;3). Admittedly it should be mentioned that
secondary metabolites are not the only defence mechanisms of fungi (4).
In order to enlighten the biological function of these secondary metabolites with reference to chemical defence
reactions of insect8208;fungal interactions, we utilized complementary approaches of experimental ecology and
functional genomic techniques. A further aspect was to investigate the influence of these competitors at trophic
interactions.
In our current research the vinegar fly Drosophila melanogaster and its natural antagonist Aspergillus nidulans are
used as an ecology model system. To analyse fungal up8208; or down regulated target genes in the interaction of A.
nidulans with Drosophila larvae microarray analysis was performed. Quantitative RT8208;PCR confirms up8208;regulation of
the global regulator laeA as well as of aflR. Moreover several other genes are up8208;regulated under competing
conditions. Candidate genes are being used for reporter gene analysis and RNAi constructs are being used for
competition experiments.
1. Rohlfs, M., Albert, M., Keller, N. P., and Kempken, F. (2007) Biol Lett 3, 5238208;25.
2. Kempken, F., and Rohlfs, M. (2010) Fungal Ecol 3, 1078208;14.
3. Rohlfs, M., Trienens, M., Fohgrub, U., and Kempken, F. (2009) in The Mycota XV. Physiology and

Conference Year: 2012

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