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Light-Regulated Gene Expression Patterns During Conidial Formation in Aspergillus oryzae
Shangfei Lin1,2, Jiali Yang3, Aixia Wang3
1College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan 528231, China.
Abstract:
With the effect of light on the conidial formation of Aspergillus oryzae now being known, the molecular mechanism of its light response has become a research hotspot. However, the light-regulated genes investigated in earlier studies do not clearly explain the light response patterns of related genes at the transcriptional level. This study employed RNA sequencing technology to preliminarily identify the light-regulated genes among the genes related to conidia production and photoreception in A. oryzae GDMCC 3.31. Subsequently, the effects of light dose on the light-regulated genes were analyzed by qRT-PCR. We identified a total of six genes (tcsA, catA, gld1, Aowc-1, abaA, and AofphA) as light-regulated genes. The expression pattern of abaA was dependent on the light spectrum and light dose. When the light dose was maintained at a high level, the abaA gene served as a red-green light-regulated gene. Otherwise, the abaA gene showed no response to light. The phytochrome-like gene AofphA was regulated by red and blue light with a biphasic response under varying light doses, suggesting the existence of a light dose threshold. These findings provide new targets for the photoresponse molecular mechanisms in A. oryzae.
Insights
Light influences Aspergillus oryzae conidial formation. This study identifies six light-regulated genes, including abaA and AofphA, revealing new molecular mechanisms for light response in this fungus.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
- Mycology
Background:
- The effect of light on conidial formation in *Aspergillus oryzae* is known, but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear.
- Previous studies on light-regulated genes lack comprehensive transcriptional-level explanations for light response patterns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify light-regulated genes involved in conidia production and photoreception in *A. oryzae* using RNA sequencing.
- To analyze the impact of light dose on the expression of these identified light-regulated genes via qRT-PCR.
Main Methods:
- RNA sequencing to identify candidate light-regulated genes in *A. oryzae* GDMCC 3.31.
- Quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) to validate and analyze gene expression patterns under varying light conditions and doses.
Main Results:
- Six genes (*tcsA*, *catA*, *gld1*, *Aowc-1*, *abaA*, and *AofphA*) were identified as light-regulated.
- *abaA* gene expression showed dependence on light spectrum and dose, acting as a red-green light-regulated gene under high light conditions.
- *AofphA*, a phytochrome-like gene, exhibited a biphasic response to red and blue light, indicating a light dose threshold.
Conclusions:
- New light-regulated genes in *A. oryzae* have been identified, expanding the understanding of fungal photoresponse.
- The study highlights the complex regulation of gene expression by light spectrum and dose, particularly for *abaA* and *AofphA*.
- Findings provide novel molecular targets for investigating the photoresponse mechanisms in *A. oryzae*.
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