Identification and characterization of Aspergillus nidulans ∆flbB mutants showing an aconidial phenotype under phosphate stress

Author:

Ainara Otamendi 1, Oier Etxebeste 1, Eduardo A. Espeso 2

Author address:

1 Laboratory of Biology, Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of The Basque Country (UPV/EHU), San Sebastian, Spain;
2 Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas (CSIC), Madrid, Spain

Full conference title:

15th European Conference on Fungal Genetics 2020

Date: 20 June 2020

Abstract:

Fungi spread to new niches and colonize them by producing thousands of asexual spores. Aspergillus nidulans is a primary reference species for the study of the genetic/ molecular mechanisms governing fungal asexual development (conidiation). The transcription factor BrlA plays a central role in this process since: 1) its levels are controlled by signal transducers collectively known as UDAs; and 2) it governs the expression of CDP regulators, which control the morphological transitions leading to conidia production. In response to the emergence of fungal cells to the air, the main stimulus triggering conidiation, UDA mutants such as the flbB deletant fail to induce brlA expression. Nevertheless, the need for FlbB activity can be bypassed by culturing ∆flbB colonies in a medium containing high concentrations of H2 PO4 – . We used this phenotypic trait and an UV-mutagenesis procedure to isolate and characterize ∆flbB mutants unable to conidiate in these conditions. The characterization of FLIP166 led to the identification of the putative transcription factor SocA as a multicopy suppressor and PmtC(P282L) as the recessive mutant form responsible for the Fluffy (aconidial) In Phosphate phenotype. Taken together, results validate this novel strategy to identify genes and/or mutations related to the control of asexual development.

Link to conference website:

Link Conference abstract: 

ECFG 15

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