Dissecting Colony Development of Neurospora crassa Using mRNA Profiling and Comparative Genomics Approaches

摘要: Colony development, which includes hyphal extension, branching, anastomosis, and asexual sporulation, is a fundamental aspect of the life cycle filamentous fungi; genetic mechanisms underlying these phenomena are poorly understood. We conducted transcriptional profiling during colony development model fungus Neurospora crassa, using 70-mer oligonucleotide microarrays. Relative mRNA expression levels were determined for six sections defined age excised from 27-h-old N. crassa colony. Functional category analysis showed that genes involved in cell membrane biosynthesis, polar growth, cellular signaling was enriched at periphery The relative protein synthesis energy production middle section colony, while undergoing (conidiogenesis) protein/peptide degradation unclassified proteins. A cross-examination data set with published Aspergillus niger revealed shared patterns spatiotemporal regulation gene orthologs development. At present, less than 50% have functional annotation, imposes chief limitation on analysis. Using an evolutionary approach, we observed phylogenetically conserved groups whereas unique to euascomycete species orphan older, conidiating fungal