The transposon impala is activated by low temperatures: use of a controlled transposition system to identify genes critical for viability of Aspergillus fumigatus.
Genes that are essential for viability represent potential targets for the development of anti-infective agents. However, relatively few have been determined in the filamentous fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus. A novel solution employing parasexual genetics coupled with transposon mutagenesis using the Fusarium oxysporum transposon impala had previously enabled the identification of 20 essential genes from A. fumigatus; however, further use of this system required a better understanding of the mode of action of the transposon itself. Examination of a range of conditions indicated that impala is activated by prolonged exposure to low temperatures. This newly identified property was then harnessed to identify 96 loci that are critical for viability in A. fumigatus, including genes required for RNA metabolism, organelle organization, protein transport, ribosome biogenesis, and transcription, as well as a number of noncoding RNAs. A number of these genes represent potential targets for much-needed novel antifungal drugs.
Carr
Paul D
PD
F2G Limited, Lankro Way, Eccles, Manchester, United Kingdom.
Tuckwell
Danny
D
Hey
Peter M
PM
Simon
Laurence
L
d'Enfert
Christophe
C
Birch
Mike
M
Oliver
Jason D
JD
Bromley
Michael J
MJ
D001232:Aspergillus fumigatus / Q000166:cytology* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development; D001233:Aspergillus nidulans / Q000235:genetics; D003080:Cold Temperature; D004251:DNA Transposable Elements / Q000235:genetics*; D004171:Diploidy; D005670:Fusarium / Q000235:genetics; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000235:genetics; D005800:Genes, Fungal / Q000235:genetics*; D006238:Haploidy; D007700:Kinetics; D050296:Microbial Viability / Q000235:genetics*; D016254:Mutagenesis, Insertional / Q000235:genetics; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014170:Transformation, Genetic; D019895:Transposases / Q000235:genetics
D004251:DNA Transposable Elements; D019895:Transposases