Efficient transformation of Neurospora crassa by utilizing hybrid plasmid DNA

An efficient transformation system has been developed for Neurospora crassa that uses spheroplasts and pVK88 plasmid DNA. pVK88 is a recombinant Escherichia coli plasmid carrying the N. crassa qa-2(+) gene which encodes catabolic dehydroquinase (3-dehydroquinate hydro-lyase, EC 4.2.1.10) and is part of the qa gene cluster. The recipient strain carries a stable qa-2(-) mutation and an arom-9(-) mutation, thus lacking both catabolic and biosynthetic dehydroquinase activities. Transformants were selected as colonies able to grow in the absence of an aromatic amino acid supplement. These colonies were qa-2(+) and had normal levels of catabolic dehydroquinase. DNA.DNA hybridization evidence with appropriate labeled probes indicates clearly that in some instances transformation involves the integration of bacterial plasmid sequences together with the qa-2(+) gene into the N. crassa genome. On the basis of genetic, enzyme assay, and DNA hybridization data, at least three types of transformation events can be distinguished: (i) replacement of the qa-2(-) gene by the qa-2(+) gene without any effect on the expression of the other genes in the qa cluster, (ii) linked insertion of a normal qa-2(+) gene accompanied by inactivation of the adjacent qa-4(+) gene, and (iii) insertion of a normal qa-2(+) gene at an unlinked site in the N. crassa genome. This newly integrated qa-2(+) genetic material is inherited in a typical Mendelian fashion. A low level of transformation has also been obtained by using linear total N. crassa DNA. Two such qa-2(+) transformants are unlinked to the qa-2(-) gene of the recipient.