Role of nitric oxide and flavohemoglobin homolog genes in Aspergillus nidulans sexual development and mycotoxin production

Appl Environ Microbiol. 2011 Aug;77(15):5524-8. doi: 10.1128/AEM.00638-11. Epub 2011 Jun 3.

Abstract

Flavohemoglobins are widely distributed in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. These proteins are involved in reducing nitric oxide levels. Deletion of the Aspergillus nidulans flavohemoglobin gene fhbA induced sexual development and decreased sterigmatocystin production. Supplementation with a nitric oxide-releasing compound promoted cleistothecial formation and increased nsdD and steA expression, indicating that nitric oxide induces sexual development. This is the first study on the effect of nitric oxide on morphogenesis and secondary metabolism in fungi.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Aspergillus nidulans / genetics
  • Aspergillus nidulans / growth & development
  • Aspergillus nidulans / metabolism*
  • Fungal Proteins / genetics
  • Fungal Proteins / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal*
  • Genes, Fungal
  • Hemeproteins / biosynthesis*
  • Hemeproteins / genetics
  • Morphogenesis / genetics
  • Mycotoxins / biosynthesis*
  • Mycotoxins / genetics
  • Nitric Oxide / metabolism*
  • RNA, Messenger / analysis
  • Signal Transduction
  • Sterigmatocystin / biosynthesis

Substances

  • Fungal Proteins
  • Hemeproteins
  • Mycotoxins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Sterigmatocystin
  • Nitric Oxide