Life Sciences & Biotechnology
Title : | Role of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae SPR3 gene homologue in septation and its correlation to riboflavin overproduction in the hemiascomycete fungi Ashbya gossypii and Eremothecium ashbyii |
Area of research : | Life Sciences & Biotechnology |
Principal Investigator : | Dr. Vijayalakshmi Subramaniam, Vels Institute Of Science, Technology & Advanced Studies (VISTAS), Chennai, Tamil Nadu |
Timeline Start Year : | 2022 |
Timeline End Year : | 2025 |
Contact info : | vijayaiitm@gmail.com |
Equipments : | Fluorimeter
Ice Flaker
Deep Freezer
Laminar Air flow
Mini rotary shakers
PCR Thermal Cycler |
Details
Executive Summary : | Ashbya gossypii and Eremothecium ashbyii are filamentous hemiascomycete fungi closely related to the budding yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae. These fungi are natural overproducers of vitamin B2 (riboflavin) and are important from an industrial point of view. Research in these organisms is not only important for riboflavin production but also fundamental processes in fungi. Septation is an important process that plays a role in the development of an organism and has been implicated to affect riboflavin production in these organisms. Septation in A. gossypii is homologous to cytokinesis in yeast-like fungi, and the septum wall formed prevents vacuoles containing riboflavin and important enzymes from being transported. Septins, proteins required in cytokinesis in yeast, and septation in these fungi are good candidates for research in this regard. Preliminary studies on the protein sequence of the AgSPR3 gene reveal that the gene may code for a septin family protein that could be sporulation dependent like its S. cerevisiae homolog ScSPR3. The protein has a conserved P-loop region relating it to septin proteins and two Leucine Zipper patterns pointing to a possible regulatory role at the transcriptional level. This project aims to address three questions: 1) Is there any role for the SPR3 gene in septation in these fungi? This question will be addressed using SPR3 gene mCherry reporter fusions in wild type and SPR3 deletion mutants. 2) Does the SPR3 gene have a role in stress adaptation to riboflavin overproduction? This question will be addressed using mCherry reporter transformants generated in these fungi. 3) To study and explore if the SPR3 gene links the signal transduction pathways involved in the stress response to riboflavin over production, septation, and sporulation in A. gossypii and E. ashbyii, a fluorescence microscopic time course study of septation and sporulation will be conducted. |
Total Budget (INR): | 29,38,100 |
Organizations involved