title: Targeted disruption of a melanin biosynthesis gene affects conidial development and UV tolerance in the Japanese pear pathotype of Alternaria alternata.
abstract: Structural analysis of the BRM2 gene involved in melanin biosynthesis of the Japanese pear pathotype of Alternaria alternata suggested that this gene encodes 1,3,8-trihydroxynaphthalene reductase. Targeted disruption of the BRM2 gene did not affect pathogenicity, vegetative growth, or the number of conidia produced. Targeted disruption, however, did reduce conidial size and septal number, suggesting that melanin is associated with conidial development. The conidia of brm2 mutant transformants were more sensitive to UV light than those of the wild type, demonstrating that melanin confers UV tolerance.
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Chikusa, Japan.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kawamura
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tsujimoto
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tsuge
mesh_terms: D000528:Alternaria / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000472:pathogenicity; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001483:Base Sequence; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000235:genetics; D005638:Fruit / Q000382:microbiology*; D018390:Gene Targeting; D005800:Genes, Fungal; D008543:Melanins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011836:Radiation Tolerance / Q000235:genetics; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D014170:Transformation, Genetic; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
chemical_list: D017931:DNA Primers; D008543:Melanins