Ras GTPases modulate morphogenesis, sporulation and cellulase gene expression in the cellulolytic fungus Trichoderma reesei.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The model cellulolytic fungus Trichoderma reesei (teleomorph Hypocrea jecorina) is capable of responding to environmental cues to compete for nutrients in its natural saprophytic habitat despite its genome encodes fewer degradative enzymes. Efficient signalling pathways in perception and interpretation of environmental signals are indispensable in this process. Ras GTPases represent a kind of critical signal proteins involved in signal transduction and regulation of gene expression. In T. reesei the genome contains two Ras subfamily small GTPases TrRas1 and TrRas2 homologous to Ras1 and Ras2 from S. cerevisiae, but their functions remain unknown.

Methodology/principal findings

Here, we have investigated the roles of GTPases TrRas1 and TrRas2 during fungal morphoge

SUBMITTER: Zhang J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3494722 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature