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brlA requires both zinc fingers to induce development
T H Adams1, H Deising, W E Timberlake
1Department of Genetics, University of Georgia, Athens 30602.
Molecular and Cellular Biology
|April 1, 1990
Summary
Mutations in the Aspergillus nidulans brlA gene disrupt zinc fingers, preventing asexual spore development. This supports brlA encoding a nucleic acid-binding protein essential for fungal reproduction.
Area of Science:
- * Molecular biology
- * Mycology
- * Fungal development
Background:
- * The Aspergillus nidulans brlA gene is crucial for initiating asexual spore formation.
- * The BrlA protein is hypothesized to contain two Cys2-His2 zinc finger domains.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To investigate the role of zinc fingers in BrlA protein function.
- * To determine if disruption of zinc finger domains affects asexual development.
Main Methods:
- * Site-directed mutagenesis was used to introduce mutations into the brlA gene.
- * The effects of these mutations on asexual development and gene expression were analyzed.
Main Results:
- * Mutated brlA alleles failed to induce the asexual reproductive pathway.
- * Expression of development-specific genes was not activated by the mutated brlA alleles.
- * The mutations disrupted the postulated Cys2-His2 Zn(II) coordination sites.
Conclusions:
- * The brlA gene product is essential for asexual development in Aspergillus nidulans.
- * The function of the BrlA protein requires intact zinc finger domains.
- * These findings support the hypothesis that BrlA is a nucleic acid-binding protein regulated by zinc fingers.