Analysis of Two Transcription Activation Elements in the Promoter of the Developmentally Regulated con-10 Gene of Neurospora crassa

Author: Lee K.   Ebbole D.J.  

Publisher: Academic Press

ISSN: 1087-1845

Source: Fungal Genetics and Biology, Vol.23, Iss.3, 1998-04, pp. : 259-268

Disclaimer: Any content in publications that violate the sovereignty, the constitution or regulations of the PRC is not accepted or approved by CNPIEC.

Previous Menu Next

Abstract

The con-10 gene of Neurospora crassa is activated during conidiation. CRS-B (conidiation response sequence-B) and CGE (con-10 general enhancer) elements have been proposed to function as sites of transcriptional activation and as possible elements that confer developmental regulation to con-10. In a specific analysis of the roles of these elements we found that two CRS-B elements are necessary for full activation of con-10 during macroconidiation, whereas two CGE elements are functionally redundant, such that a single CGE is sufficient for maximal expression. However, CRS-B and CGE elements are not sufficient for developmental activation of a reporter gene. The CRS-B element was further dissected and one of the CRS-B elements appears to function in repression as well as activation. con-10 is also highly expressed during microconidiation, a different form of asexual sporulation, but we show here that CRS-B elements do not play a significant role in con-10 expression during microconidiation. Both CRS-B elements contribute to basal con-10 expression during mycelial growth. con-10 is also regulated by light, and CRS-B and CGE elements may play minor roles in controlling con-10 expression in response to light.