Molecular and structural basis of nucleoside diphosphate kinase-mediated regulation of spore and sclerotia development in the fungus Aspergillus flavus.

ABSTRACT: The fundamental biological function of nucleoside diphosphate kinase (NDK) is to catalyze the reversible exchange of the γ-phosphate between nucleoside triphosphate (NTP) and nucleoside diphosphate (NDP). This kinase also has functions that extend beyond its canonically defined enzymatic role as a phosphotransferase. However, the role of NDK in filamentous fungi, especially in Aspergillus flavus (A. flavus), is not yet known. Here we report that A. flavus has two NDK-encoding gene copies as assessed by qPCR. Using gene-knockout and complementation experiments, we found that AfNDK regulates spore and sclerotia development and is involved in plant virulence as assessed in corn and peanut seed-based assays. An antifungal test with the inhibitor azidothymidine suppressed A

SUBMITTER: Wang Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6699835 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature