Transformation and gene targeting in Aspergillus nidulans : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Molecular Genetics at Massey University, Palmerston North
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Date
1996
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Massey University
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Abstract
Transformation of a haploid Aspergillus nidulans pyrG auxotrophic strain (1-85) was optimised for the vector pGM32 containing the heterologous Neurospora crassa pyr4 gene. The resulting uracil-independent transformants could be classified into two main groups based on morphology. The minority were morphologically very similar to the parental strain, easily purified and mitotically stable. The majority (10 times more frequent) were irregular in shape and shown to be heterokaryons that could not be resolved into transformed homokaryons. Analysis of the transformant types suggested regulation of multiple copies of the gene for OMPdecase (pyr4 and pyrG) resulted in the titration/inactivation of essential trans-acting factors. The heterokaryon state was therefore a requirement for the survival of transformants containing multiple copies of the integrated vector. The effect of altering the conditions of transformation on the efficiency of gene targeting in filamentous fungi was studied. The A. nidulans niaD and amdS genes, both involved in nitrogen source utilisation, were selected as target loci. Insertional inactivation vectors were constructed (based on pGM32) and parameters shown to have an effect on the targeting frequency at the niaD locus were subsequently tested at the amdS locus. A dramatic difference in targeting was observed between the niaD and amdS loci with targeting of niaD being much more efficient than amdS for the parameters tested. The level of gene targeting using circular DNA was found to correlate with the size of the homologous segment at both loci. Similarly the level of targeting was shown to increase at both loci when vectors were linearised within the region of homology. Unexpectedly the level of targeting was unaltered at the niaD locus when transcription was induced at different stages in the transformation procedure. Likewise targeting was unaffected by altering the amount of DNA in the reaction mix. The regeneration temperature, however, did appear to have an effect on targeting, with enhanced targeting observed at the lower temperature. Gene replacement by transformation was used to disrupt the cycA gene in diploid and haploid A. nidulans strains. The first completely deficient cyc mutant in a filamentous fungus was isolated and shown to be non-lethal. Haploidisation analysis of the diploid transformant localised the chromosomal position of cycA to chromosome I.
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Keywords
Aspergillus nidulans, Molecular genetics, Genetic vectors, Genetic engineering