Genome-wide expression analysis of genetic networks in Neurospora crassa

The products of five structural genes and two regulatory genes of the qa gene cluster of Neurospora crassa control the metabolism of quinic acid (QA) as a carbon source. A detailed genetic network model of this metabolic process has been reported. This investigation is designed to expand the current model of the QA reaction network. The ensemble method of network identification was used to model RNA profiling data on the qa gene cluster. Through microarray and cluster analysis, genome-wide identification of RNA transcripts associated with quinic acid metabolism in N. crassa is described and suggests a connection to other metabolic circuits. More than 100 genes whose products include carbon metabolism, protein degradation and modification, amino acid metabolism and ribosome synthesis appear to be connected to quinic acid metabolism. The core of the qa gene cluster network is validated with respect to RNA profiling data obtained from microarrays.