Characterization of the Aspergillus parasiticus Δ 12-desaturase gene: A role for lipid metabolism in the Aspergillus-seed interaction

Richard A. Wilson, Ana M. Calvo, Perng Kuang Chang, Nancy P. Keller

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

60 Scopus citations

Abstract

In the mycotoxigenic oilseed pathogens Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus and the model filamentous fungus Aspergillus nidulans, unsaturated fatty acids and their derivatives act as important developmental signals that affect asexual conidiospore, sexual ascospore and/or sclerotial development. To dissect the relationship between lipid metabolism and fungal development, an A. parasiticus Δ 12-desaturase mutant that was unable to convert oleic acid to linoleic acid and was thus impaired in polyunsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis was generated. The Δ12-desaturase mutant demonstrates delayed spore germination, a twofold reduction in growth, a reduced level of conidiation and complete loss of sclerotial development, compared to the wild-type. Host colonization is impaired, as reflected by a decrease in conidial production on live peanut and corn seed by the mutant compared to the wild-type. Similarly, the previously isolated A. nidulans Δ12-desaturase mutant has reduced colonization capabilities compared to the wild-type. Therefore, desaturation mutants display a key requisite that affords a genetic solution to oilseed crop contamination by mycotoxigenic Aspergillus species: a reduction in the production of conidia, the infectious particle of the pathogenic aspergilli.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2881-2888
Number of pages8
JournalMicrobiology
Volume150
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2004
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Microbiology

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