The increase in cell volume and nuclear number of the koji-fungus <i>Aspergillus oryzae</i> contributes to its high enzyme productivity.

ABSTRACT: While the ratio of nuclei to cell volume is well regulated, it remains largely unexplored in multinucleate organisms. The koji-fungus Aspergillus oryzae, traditionally used in Japanese brewing and fermentation for over a thousand years, is now widely utilized in modern biotechnology as a host for enzyme production. We discovered that, over time in culture, hyphae become thicker, resulting in a tenfold increase in cell volume, and the number of nuclei in hyphal cells also increases tenfold, exceeding 200. The increase in cell volume and nuclear number is unique among the investigated Aspergillus species and correlates with its high enzyme production capabilities. Since nuclear number and cell volume are correlated, both must increase simultaneously for either to expand. Our an

SUBMITTER: Itani A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12456952 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature