title: Characterization of Ctr family genes and the elucidation of their role in the life cycle of Neurospora crassa.
abstract: Transcriptional analysis using qRT-PCR of 62 metal ion transporters during conidial germination of Neurospora crassa showed a significant up regulation of a hypothetical copper transporter gene, tcu-1, that belongs to the Ctr family. Herein we characterised the Ctr family genes (tcu-1, tcu-2 and tcu-3) and deciphered their role in various developmental phases of the N. crassa life cycle. Cross complementation assays in copper uptake mutant of Saccharomyces cerevisiae revealed that tcu-1, tcu-2 and tcu-3 are functional homologs of S. cerevisiae copper transporters. Expression studies of Ctr family members in various developmental phases of N. crassa showed differential expression pattern for high-affinity copper transporter, TCU1. Functional analysis of their gene knockout mutants showed that tcu-1 is essential for saprophytic conidial germination, vegetative growth and perithecia development under copper limited conditions while conidiation remained unaffected.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, University College of Science, Osmania University, Hyderabad 500 007, India.
authors.forename: Premsagar
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Korripally
authors.forename: Anand
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tiwari
authors.forename: Adhikarla
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Haritha
authors.forename: Patnala
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kiranmayi
authors.forename: Manjula
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bhanoori
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D027682:Cation Transport Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004271:DNA, Fungal / Q000378:metabolism; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D015966:Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal; D049770:Genes, Mating Type, Fungal; D005816:Genetic Complementation Test; D016681:Genome, Fungal; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D009492:Neurospora crassa / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D011494:Protein Kinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D013172:Spores, Fungal / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D027682:Cation Transport Proteins; D004271:DNA, Fungal; D005656:Fungal Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins; D011494:Protein Kinases