WdCHS3, a gene that encodes a class III chitin synthase in Wangiella (Exophiala) dermatitidis, is expressed differentially under stress conditions.

ABSTRACT: Class III chitin synthases are important for hyphal growth in some filamentous fungi but are not found in yeasts. Using a specific PCR product that encodes a portion of the class III chitin synthase of W. dermatitidis as a probe, we isolated the chitin synthase gene, WdCHS3, from this polymorphic melanized pathogen of humans. Northern blotting showed that WdCHS3 was highly expressed under stress conditions, such as the shift of cells to temperatures commensurate with infection, or to conditions that induce cellular morphogenesis in this fungus. Analysis of the 5' upstream sequence of WdCHS3 provided evidence for a negative regulatory element at between -780 and -1600 bp. Western blotting indicated that the production of the WdChs3p was temperature dependent and temporally regulated. Disrup

SUBMITTER: Wang Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC94359 | biostudies-literature | 2000 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature