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Inter-strain expression of sequence-diverse HET domain genes severely inhibits growth of Aspergillus oryzae

Noriko Mori1, Takuya Katayama1,2, Ryota Saito3

  • 1a Department of Biotechnology , The University of Tokyo , Tokyo , Japan.

Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry
|February 20, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Genes with HET domains in filamentous fungi like Aspergillus oryzae are key to heterokaryon incompatibility (HI). Sequence variations in these genes cause growth defects, revealing their physiological importance.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Genetics
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • HET domain proteins are involved in heterokaryon incompatibility (HI) in Pezizomycotina, leading to cell death or growth defects upon fusion of genetically dissimilar cells.
  • These genes are prevalent in Pezizomycotina genomes but functionally characterized in limited species.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of HET domain genes in heterokaryon incompatibility (HI) within Aspergillus oryzae.
  • To identify specific HET domain genes and sequence variations responsible for growth inhibition during inter-strain fusion.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative analysis of 44 HET domain genes between two incompatible Aspergillus oryzae strains (RIB40 and RIB128).
  • Inter-strain expression of 37 sequence-diverse HET domain genes to mimic HI conditions.
  • Identification of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with growth inhibition.

Main Results:

  • Four HET domain genes were found to induce severe growth inhibition in a strain- and sequence-specific manner.
  • Specific single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified as the cause of this cell growth inhibition.

Conclusions:

  • Sequence diversity in HET domain genes significantly impacts heterokaryon incompatibility (HI) in Aspergillus oryzae.
  • This study elucidates the physiological significance of HET domain gene sequence variation and their role in HI.
Keywords:
HET domain geneHeterokaryon incompatibilityinter-strain expression

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