title: Function analysis of steA homolog in Aspergillus oryzae.
abstract: The asexual ascomycete Aspergillus oryzae has an steA homolog in its genome. The steA homolog of A. oryzae was transcribed in the wild-type strain but steA disruption did not affect the phenotype of the disruptant strain. On the other hand, the steA-overexpressing strain showed the restriction of vegetative hyphal growth and conidiation, and the formation of balloon-shaped structures. The restriction of vegetative hyphal growth and conidiation were partially rescued by high osmolarity. In addition, the hyphal growth of the steA-overexpressing strain was inhibited by Calcofluor white, and the strain was found to be sensitive to cell-wall-degrading reagents. Increase of secretory cell-wall-degrading enzymes of the steA-overexpressing strain was detected. These results indicate that SteA regulates cell-wall-degrading enzymes and that the phenotypes of A. oryzae steA-overexpressing strain may be due to cell wall abnormalities. steA may participate in cell wall metabolism.
authors.affiliation: Department of Agriscience and Bioscience, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 3-5-8 Saiwai-cho, Fuchu, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan.
authors.forename: Hiroto
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Morita
authors.forename: Osamu
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Hatamoto
authors.forename: Tsutomu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Masuda
authors.forename: Tsutomu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sato
authors.forename: Michio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Takeuchi
mesh_terms: D001236:Aspergillus oryzae / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D015139:Blotting, Southern; D002473:Cell Wall / Q000378:metabolism; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D005696:Galactosidases / Q000378:metabolism; D015966:Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal; D025301:Hyphae / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D008957:Models, Genetic; D010641:Phenotype; D011133:Polysaccharide-Lyases / Q000378:metabolism; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D016335:Zinc Fingers / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D005656:Fungal Proteins; D005696:Galactosidases; D011133:Polysaccharide-Lyases; C027349:pectin lyase