Two Origins for the Gene Encoding α-Isopropylmalate Synthase in Fungi

Larson, Erica M.; Idnurm, Alexander

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0011605

Two Origins for the Gene Encoding α-Isopropylmalate Synthase in Fungi

Journal Article · Thu Jul 15 00:00:00 EDT 2010 · PLoS ONE

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0011605· OSTI ID:1627414

Larson, Erica M. ^[1]; Idnurm, Alexander ^[2]

University of Missouri, Kansas City, MO (United States); DOE/OSTI
University of Missouri, Kansas City, MO (United States)

The biosynthesis of leucine is a biochemical pathway common to prokaryotes, plants and fungi, but absent from humans and animals. The pathway is a proposed target for antimicrobial therapy. Here we identified the leuA gene encoding a-isopropylmalate synthase in the zygomycete fungus Phycomyces blakesleeanus using a genetic mapping approach with crosses between wild type and leucine auxotrophic strains. To confirm the function of the gene, Phycomyces leuA was used to complement the auxotrophic phenotype exhibited by mutation of the leu3⁺ gene of the ascomycete fungus Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the leuA gene in Phycomyces, other zygomycetes, and the chytrids is more closely related to homologs in plants and photosynthetic bacteria than ascomycetes or basidiomycetes, and suggests that the Dikarya have acquired the gene more recently. The identification of leuA in Phycomyces adds to the growing body of evidence that some primary metabolic pathways or parts of them have arisen multiple times during the evolution of fungi, probably through horizontal gene transfer events.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: University of Missouri, Kansas City, MO (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: National Science Foundation (NSF); USDOE Office of Science (SC), Biological and Environmental Research (BER); University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC)

Grant/Contract Number:: AC02-05CH11231

OSTI ID:: 1627414

Journal Information:: PLoS ONE, Journal Name: PLoS ONE Journal Issue: 7 Vol. 5; ISSN 1932-6203

Publisher:: Public Library of ScienceCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
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fungal genetics
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Two Origins for the Gene Encoding α-Isopropylmalate Synthase in Fungi

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