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Quantitative Analysis of Aspergillus nidulans Growth Rate using Live Microscopy and Open-Source Software
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Fungal genotype determines survival of Drosophila melanogaster when competing with Aspergillus nidulans

Annika Regulin1, Frank Kempken1

  • 1Botanisches Institut und Botanischer Garten, Christian-Albrechts-Universität, Kiel, Germany.

Plos One
|January 3, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Fungal veA mutants, particularly veA1, significantly increase fruit fly larval survival in Aspergillus nidulans confrontations. This highlights the velvet complex's crucial role in fungal-insect interactions.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Insect-fungal interactions
  • Chemical ecology

Background:

  • Fungi produce diverse secondary metabolites, including potent toxins.
  • Some fungal metabolites possess insecticidal properties, aiding fungal competition.
  • The Aspergillus nidulans veA and LaeA proteins regulate secondary metabolism.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of the Aspergillus nidulans veA allele in insect-fungal confrontations using Drosophila melanogaster.
  • To compare the impact of different veA genotypes (wild type, veA1, ΔveA) and ΔlaeA on fly survival and egg-laying.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized an ecological model system with Drosophila melanogaster and Aspergillus nidulans.
  • Conducted confrontation assays with various fungal secondary metabolite mutant genotypes.
  • Assessed egg-laying activity and larval survival rates.

Main Results:

  • The veA1 mutant background significantly increased larval survival.
  • Adult flies were predominantly observed on veA1, ΔveA, or ΔlaeA fungal strains.
  • The veA1 mutant exhibited the most profound effect on larval survival.

Conclusions:

  • The fungal genotype, particularly the veA allele, significantly impacts larval survival in insect-fungal interactions.
  • The velvet complex plays a critical role in mediating these interactions, with the veA1 mutation showing a pronounced effect.

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