title: Functional analysis of FarA transcription factor in the regulation of the genes encoding lipolytic enzymes and hydrophobic surface binding protein for the degradation of biodegradable plastics in Aspergillus oryzae.
abstract: FarA is a Zn(II)(2)Cys(6) transcription factor which upregulates genes required for growth on fatty acids in filamentous fungi like Aspergillus nidulans. FarA is also highly similar to the cutinase transcription factor CTF1α of Fusarium solani which binds to the cutinase gene promoter in this plant pathogen. This study determines whether FarA transcriptional factor also works in the regulation of genes responsible for the production of cutinase for the degradation of a biodegradable plastic, poly-(butylene succinate-co-adipate) (PBSA), in Aspergillus oryzae. The wild-type and the farA gene disruption strains were grown in minimal agar medium with emulsified PBSA, and the wild-type showed clear zone around the colonies while the disruptants did not. Western blot analysis revealed that the cutinase protein CutL1 and a hydrophobic surface binding protein such as HsbA were produced by the wild-type but not by the disruptants. In addition, the expressions of cutL1, triacylglycerol lipase (tglA), and mono- and di-acylglycerol lipase (mdlB) genes as well as the hsbA gene were significantly lower in the disruptants compared to the wild-type. These results indicated that the FarA transcriptional factor would be implicated in the expression of cutL1 and hsbA genes that are required for the degradation of PBSA as well as lipolytic genes such as mdlB and tglA for lipid hydrolysis.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Bioindustrial Genomics, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, 1-1 Tsutsumidori-Amamiyamachi, Aoba-ku, Sendai 981-8555, Japan.
authors.forename: Sharon Marie
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Garrido
authors.forename: Noriyuki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kitamoto
authors.forename: Akira
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Watanabe
authors.forename: Takahiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shintani
authors.forename: Katsuya
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gomi
mesh_terms: D001236:Aspergillus oryzae / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology; D002265:Carboxylic Ester Hydrolases / Q000235:genetics; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D015966:Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal; D008049:Lipase / Q000235:genetics; D010969:Plastics / Q000378:metabolism; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D002265:Carboxylic Ester Hydrolases; D002352:Carrier Proteins; C019952:cutinase; D008049:Lipase; D010969:Plastics; D014157:Transcription Factors