Molecular transformation, gene cloning, and gene expression systems for filamentous fungi

Applied Mycology and Biotechnology
By: , and 

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Abstract

This chapter discusses the molecular transformation, gene cloning, and gene expression systems for filamentous fungi. Molecular transformation involves the movement of discrete amounts of DNA into cells, the expression of genes on the transported DNA, and the sustainable replication of the transforming DNA. The ability to transform fungi is dependent on the stable replication and expression of genes located on the transforming DNA. Three phenomena observed in bacteria, that is, competence, plasmids, and restriction enzymes to facilitate cloning, were responsible for the development of molecular transformation in fungi. Initial transformation success with filamentous fungi, involving the complementation of auxotrophic mutants by exposure to sheared genomic DNA or RNA from wt isolates, occurred with low transformation efficiencies. In addition, it was difficult to retrieve complementing DNA fragments and isolate genes of interest. This prompted the development of transformation vectors and methods to increase efficiencies. The physiological studies performed with fungi indicated that the cell wall could be removed to generate protoplasts. It was evident that protoplasts could be transformed with significantly greater efficiencies than walled cells.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Molecular transformation, gene cloning, and gene expression systems for filamentous fungi
Series title Applied Mycology and Biotechnology
DOI 10.1016/S1874-5334(01)80010-1
Volume 1
Year Published 2001
Language English
Publisher Elsevier
Publisher location Amsterdam
Contributing office(s) Western Fisheries Research Center
Description 40 p.
First page 199
Last page 238
Online Only (Y/N) N
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
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