title: The influence of co-cultivation on expression of the antifungal protein in Aspergillus giganteus.
abstract: The afp gene of Aspergillus giganteus encodes a small, highly basic polypeptide with antifungal activity, named Antifungal Protein (AFP). The protein is secreted by the mould and inhibits the growth of various filamentous fungi. In this paper we report that co-cultivation of A. giganteus with various microorganisms alters afp expression. It was found that co-cultivation modulates afp expression on the level of transcription, using a reporter system based on the beta-glucuronidase gene. The presence of Fusarium oxysporum triggered afp transcription whereas dual cultures of A. giganteus and A. niger resulted in suppression of afp transcription. Growth tests performed with several carbon and nitrogen sources, revealed that the influence of co-cultivation is strongly dependent on the medium composition.
authors.affiliation: Technische Universität Berlin, Institut für Biotechnologie, Fachgebiet Mikrobiologie und Genetik, Gustav-Meyer-Allee 25, D-13355 Berlin, Germany. V.Meyer@lb.tu-berlin.de
authors.forename: Vera
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Meyer
authors.forename: Ulf
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Stahl
mesh_terms: D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D001230:Aspergillus / Q000145:classification / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D002244:Carbon / Q000378:metabolism; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D003470:Culture Media; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism*; D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; D005966:Glucuronidase / Q000378:metabolism; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D003470:Culture Media; D005656:Fungal Proteins; C097609:antifungal protein, Aspergillus; D002244:Carbon; D005966:Glucuronidase; D009584:Nitrogen