Title: Cellular Morphogenesis During Development in the Fungus Aspergillus nidulans

Presenter: Prof. Daniel Ebbole

University: Texas A & M University

Time: 10:00-11:30, May 14, 2012

Venue: Room A203, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Abstract: The genetic pathway controlling conidial morphogenesis in Neurospora consists of five genes, acon-4 (aconidiate), fl (fluffy), acon-3, csp-1 (conidial separation) and csp-2. The first three genes are required for the transition of aerial hyphae from filamentous growth to the budding pattern resulting in proconidial chain formation. Maturation of the proconidial chain relies on the activation of genes for two additional transcription factors, csp-1 and csp-2 that are required for proper inter-conidial septum formation and spore release. High throughput mRNA sequencing comprehensively defines a set of genes induced during conidiation and allowed us to identify three genes for cell wall degrading enzymes important for conidial separation. Based on expression patterns and epistasis among the regulators, we defined the order of gene action required for conidial morphogenesis. Some of the genes for control of conidiation in Neurospora are orthologous to genes regulating conidiation in Aspergillus. A comparison of gene expression patterns and regulatory circuitry permits an initial assessment on the evolutionary history of conidiation pathways in fungi.