title: A color-selectable and site-specific integrative transformation system for gene expression studies in the dematiaceous fungus Wangiella (Exophiala) dermatitidis.
abstract: To explore potential virulence factors in the dematiaceous (melanized) fungus Wangiella dermatitidis, we established a gene expression system with properties of homologous transformation and color identification. Using a polyketide synthase gene (WdPKS1) fragment for targeting, we found that 52% of transformants became albinos easily distinguishable from nonspecific transformants. Southern analysis confirmed that the integrations were at the WdPKS1 locus, which however did not affect transformant growth. With a heterologous promoter, P-glaA, enhanced expression of lacZ was found at 37 degrees C. Our results indicated that this system allows the efficient production of isogenic strains for gene function analysis in W. dermatitidis.
authors.affiliation: Division of Biological Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, USA.
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Ye
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Feng
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Szaniszlo
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D005093:Exophiala / Q000235:genetics*; D015966:Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal; D005800:Genes, Fungal; D017930:Genes, Reporter; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009097:Multienzyme Complexes / Q000235:genetics; D010641:Phenotype; D010858:Pigmentation; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D014170:Transformation, Genetic
chemical_list: D009097:Multienzyme Complexes