Signalling the induction of sporulation involves the interaction of two secondary metabolites in Aspergillus nidulans

Ref ID: 18507

Author:

Ana Belén Rodrí­guez-Urra,
Carlos Jiménez,
Marí­a Isabel Nieto,
Jaime Rodrí­guez,
Hideo Hayashi,
Unai Ugalde

Author address:

Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of The Basque Country, San Sebastian 20018,
Spain.  

Departament of Fundamental Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences.Campus da Zapateira, University of A Coruña,
15071 A Coruña, Spain. 

Full conference title:

11 th European Conference on Fungal Genetics

Abstract:

When growing Aspergillus nidulans hyphae encounter the atmosphere they initiate a morphogenetic program
leading to the production of spore8208;bearing structures called conidiophores. Mutants defective in the fluG gene fail
to initiate asexual sporulation because they lack an endogenous diffusible factor that purportedly accumulates on
aerial hyphae, thus signaling development. Culture extracts from a wild type strain can, however, complement this
defect when added exogenously. Through a bioassay8208;guided purification of culture extracts of a wild type strain, a
factor that reverted the non8208;sporulating phenotype of a DfluG mutant was purified and identified as
dehydroaustinol. This meroterpenoid was only active in fractions containing the orsellinic acid derivative diorcinol.
This compound interacts with dehydroaustinol to form an adduct, detected by HRMS in a LC8208;MS experiment,
which prevented dehydroaustinol crystal formation, facilitating its access to the putative receptor. This is, to our
knowledge, the first instance in which a signaling compound requires the presence of an assisting molecule to
facilitate its mode of action.

Abstract Number: PR7.32

Conference Year: 2012

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

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