A novel automethylation reaction in the Aspergillus nidulans LaeA protein generates S-methylmethionine.

ABSTRACT: The filamentous fungi in the genus Aspergillus are opportunistic plant and animal pathogens that can adapt to their environment by producing various secondary metabolites, including lovastatin, penicillin, and aflatoxin. The synthesis of these small molecules is dependent on gene clusters that are globally regulated by the LaeA protein. Null mutants of LaeA in all pathogenic fungi examined to date show decreased virulence coupled with reduced secondary metabolism. Although the amino acid sequence of LaeA contains the motifs characteristic of seven-β-strand methyltransferases, a methyl-accepting substrate of LaeA has not been identified. In this work we did not find a methyl-accepting substrate in Aspergillus nidulans with various assays, including in vivo S-adenosyl-[methyl-(3)H]methionine

SUBMITTER: Patananan AN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3656261 | biostudies-literature | 2013 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature