ARS | Publication request: UTILIZING EST LIBRARIES TO INVESTIGATE THE REGULATION OF THE FUMONISIN GENE CLUSTER IN FUSARIUM VERTICILLIOIDES

Submitted to: Great Lakes Regional American Chemical Society Symposium
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: October 20, 2004
Publication Date: October 20, 2004
Citation: Butchko, R.A., Brown, D.W., Proctor, R. 2004. Utilizing EST libraries to investigate the regulation of the fumonisin gene cluster in fusarium verticillioides [abstract]. 36th Annual Great Lakes Regional American Chemical Society Symposium. p. 60.

Technical Abstract: Fumonisins are polyketide mycotoxins produced by the maize pathogen Fusarium verticillioides. A fumonisin biosynthetic gene cluster, consisting of 15 co-regulated genes, has been described in F. verticillioides. Predicted amino acid sequences of these genes suggest that most are involved in fumonisin biosynthesis. Conspicuously absent from the gene cluster is any regulatory element. Here we describe the mining of two EST libraries for potential fumonisin regulatory genes. Based on BLAST sequence similarity and differential expression patterns, we have a list of thirty EST's with similarity to regulatory elements. We have employed a rapid disruption strategy for each of these genes as well as a rapid screen for assaying for FUM gene cluster activity.