Duplication and Functional Divergence of Branched-Chain Amino Acid Biosynthesis Genes in Aspergillus nidulans
Joel T. Steyer, Damien J. Downes, Cameron C. Hunter, Pierre Migeon, Richard B. Todd
Abstract
Branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) biosynthesis is important for pathogenic fungi to successfully cause disease in human and plant hosts. The enzymes for their production are absent from humans and, therefore, provide potential antifungal targets. While BCAA biosynthesis is well characterized in yeasts, it is poorly understood in filamentous fungal pathogens. Developing a thorough understanding of both the genes encoding the metabolic enzymes for BCAA biosynthesis and how their expression is regulated will inform target selection for antifungal drug development.
Topics & Concepts
BiosynthesisAspergillus nidulansBiologyBiochemistryGeneAmino acidLeucineBranched-chain amino acidValineAmino acid synthesisIsoleucineLysineMutantFungal and yeast genetics researchMicrobial Natural Products and BiosynthesisFermentation and Sensory Analysis