Regulatory aspects of L-glutamate transport in Aspergillus nidulans

Wild-type cells of Aspergillus nidulans synthesize a transport system which appears to be specific for l-glutamate and l-aspartate. The system is energy dependent and concentrates l-glutamate at least 60-fold. In cells grown in the presence of 1% sucrose, l-glutamate uptake activity is regulated by ammonium control, although it is not certain whether this is at the level of transcription or translation. Mutants that are insensitive to ammonium control of certain other unrelated systems, e.g., nitrate reductase, are also insensitive, except in the case of one class of ammonium-insensitive mutants, to ammonium control of l-glutamate transport. The activity of this transport system is specifically impaired in a mutant at the aauA locus. This mutation results in poor growth with l-glutamate or l-aspartate as the sole carbon or nitrogen source and is recessive in the heterozygous diploid aauA1/+ for transport and growth characteristics. The likelihood that the mutation results in a defect of the transport mechanism rather than abnormal ammonium control is discussed.