title: The CCAAT-binding complex (CBC) in Aspergillus species.
abstract: The CCAAT binding complex (CBC), consisting of a heterotrimeric core structure, is highly conserved in eukaryotes and constitutes an important general transcriptional regulator. Scope of the review. In this review we discuss the scientific history and the current state of knowledge of the multiple gene regulatory functions, protein motifs and structure of the CBC in fungi with a special focus on Aspergillus species. Major conclusions and general significance. Initially identified as a transcriptional activator of respiration in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, in other fungal species the CBC was found to be involved in highly diverse pathways, but a general rationale for its involvement was missing. Subsequently, the CBC was found to sense reactive oxygen species through oxidative modifications of cysteine residues in order to mediate redox regulation. Moreover, via interaction with the iron-sensing bZIP transcription factor HapX, the CBC was shown to mediate adaptation to both iron starvation and iron excess. Due to the control of various pathways in primary and secondary metabolism the CBC is of crucial importance for fungal virulence in both animal and plant hosts as well as antifungal resistance. Consequently, CBC-mediated control affects biological processes that are of high interest in biotechnology, agriculture and infection medicine. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Nuclear Factor Y in Development and Disease, edited by Prof. Roberto Mantovani.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (HKI), Beutenbergstr. 11a, D-07745, Jena, Germany.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hortschansky
authors.affiliation: Division of Molecular Biology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, A6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
authors.forename: Hubertus
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Haas
authors.affiliation: Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich at the Department Chemistry, Technische Universität München, Lichtenbergstr. 4, D-85748, Garching, Germany.
authors.forename: Eva M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Huber
authors.affiliation: Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich at the Department Chemistry, Technische Universität München, Lichtenbergstr. 4, D-85748, Garching, Germany.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Groll
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (HKI), Beutenbergstr. 11a, D-07745, Jena, Germany; Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Friedrich Schiller University (FSU), D-07745 Jena, Germany. Electronic address: axel.brakhage@leibniz-hki.de.
authors.forename: Axel A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Brakhage
mesh_terms: D001230:Aspergillus / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D023081:CCAAT-Binding Factor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D046912:Multiprotein Complexes / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D023081:CCAAT-Binding Factor; D005656:Fungal Proteins; D046912:Multiprotein Complexes
keywords: Aspergillus; CCAAT-binding complex; Hap complex; HapX; azole resistance; gene regulation; iron; virulence