The Aspergillus nidulans pkcA gene is involved in polarized growth, morphogenesis and maintenance of cell wall integrity.
The protein kinase C (PKC) family participates in maintaining integrity and growth of fungal cell walls. However, the precise molecular role of these proteins in the filamentous fungi remains unknown. In this work, pkcA, the gene encoding the PKC homolog in the filamentous fungus Aspergillus nidulans, was cloned and its function analyzed using a conditional alcA-PKC mutant strain. Repression of pkcA expression resulted in increased conidial swelling, decreased rates of hyphal growth, changes in the ultrastructure of the cell wall and increased sensitivity to antifungal agents. These results suggest that the protein encoded by pkcA is involved in key aspects of cell morphogenesis and cell wall integrity.
Ronen
Revital
R
Department of Human Microbiology, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Ramat-Aviv 69978, Tel-Aviv, Israel.
Sharon
Haim
H
Levdansky
Emma
E
Romano
Jacob
J
Shadkchan
Yona
Y
Osherov
Nir
N
D001233:Aspergillus nidulans / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology; D002473:Cell Wall / Q000378:metabolism; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D025301:Hyphae / Q000378:metabolism; D009154:Mutation; D051571:Protein Kinase C-alpha / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D013172:Spores, Fungal / Q000254:growth & development
D005656:Fungal Proteins; D051571:Protein Kinase C-alpha; D005947:Glucose