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Selection of an effective red-pigment producing Monascus pilosus by efficient transformation with aurintricarboxylic
Yi-Pei Chen1, I-Ching Chen, Ing-Er Hwang
1Department of Biological Science and Technology, National Chiao Tung University, Taiwan.
Abstract:
The filamentous fungus Monascus pilosus was genetically transformed with a reporter plasmid, pMS-1.5hp, by aurintricarboxylic acid (ATA) treatment to obtain an efficient red-pigment producing mutant. The transformation efficiency of Monascus pilosus was higher with the ATA-treatment than with either a non-restriction-enzyme-mediated integration (REMI) or a REMI method. This valid and convenient random mutagenesis method shows that ATA can be applied in fungi for efficient genetic transformation.
Insights
Aurintricarboxylic acid (ATA) treatment enhances genetic transformation in Monascus pilosus fungi. This method efficiently creates red-pigment producing mutants, offering a convenient random mutagenesis approach for fungal genetic engineering.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Molecular Biology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Monascus pilosus is a filamentous fungus known for producing valuable red pigments.
- Efficient genetic transformation methods are crucial for strain improvement and metabolic engineering in fungi.
- Current methods like restriction-enzyme-mediated integration (REMI) have limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of aurintricarboxylic acid (ATA) for genetic transformation in Monascus pilosus.
- To develop an efficient method for generating red-pigment overproducing mutants.
- To establish ATA as a viable random mutagenesis tool for filamentous fungi.
Main Methods:
- Genetic transformation of Monascus pilosus using the reporter plasmid pMS-1.5hp.
- Treatment with aurintricarboxylic acid (ATA).
- Comparison of transformation efficiency with non-restriction-enzyme-mediated integration (REMI) and REMI methods.
Main Results:
- Aurintricarboxylic acid (ATA) treatment significantly increased the transformation efficiency in Monascus pilosus compared to non-REMI and REMI methods.
- The ATA-mediated transformation successfully generated a red-pigment producing mutant.
- ATA treatment proved to be a valid, convenient, and efficient random mutagenesis technique.
Conclusions:
- Aurintricarboxylic acid (ATA) is an effective agent for enhancing genetic transformation in Monascus pilosus.
- This method provides a valuable tool for the random mutagenesis and genetic improvement of filamentous fungi.
- ATA application in fungi opens new avenues for biotechnological applications, particularly in pigment production.
