I apologize for not starting the notice for Dr. Asch's seminar. I thought I had done so.
Anyway, Dr. Asch presented his work on the qa gene cluster in Neurospora including a delightful look at his educational and career history. I look forward to your comments on this presentation.
Dr. Asch's presentation was titled "Changes in the Fungal Gene Expression in Response to Growth on Quinic Acid," an focused on the QA gene cluster and it's effect on the growth of Neurospora crassa. The QA gene cluster is used to metabolize quinic acid, anf they analyzed this by using a 2D gel to examine the proteome of this gene. Out of all the protein spots found, they noticed that the unknown protein NCU 08332 was found when the fungi was both carbon and nitrogen starved, which were two different studies his students were running. This was determined to be Hex-1, which was only induced when the fungus had the QA gene cluster and was forced to used quinic acid as a carbon source. Overall they decided that Hex-1 is related to the QA gene cluster and the fungi metabolism but they are not sure why yet.
ReplyDeleteQuestion: Knowing that the QA gene cluster is a required part of the fungi's ability to metabolize quinic acid, do you think there is a correlation in fungi surviving in the habitat that N. crassa does and the presence of this gene cluster?
I think that the QA gene cluster likely plays a role in N. crassa's ability to survive in unorthodox conditions, but I would venture that there are further characteristics and molecular explanations behind its survivability that go behind this specific gene cluster. It probably contributes to this fungus's ability to thrive in environments where many other organisms cannot, but ultimately I feel that the QA gene cluster is one of several factors that play into N. crassa's unconventional existence.
ReplyDelete(I forgot to publish my comment under my name - the above comment was made by me.)
ReplyDeleteWhat i understood is that Neurospora crassa prefer to utilize glucose or sucrose as its source of carbon as it is easily metabolized, however in the absence or when carbon is depleted it utilizes quinic acid through up regulation of qa cluster gene (structural and regulation genes) thus allowing this fungi to survive in the less favorable conditions. From the presentation it was also mentioned that the regulation of qa cluster genes is dependent on the presence or absence of quinic acid.
ReplyDeleteAs of your question, i couldn't clearly understand.
In Dr. Asch’s presentation, he briefly mentioned how many fungi are very capable of adapting to grow in suboptimal conditions such as during carbon or nitrogen starvation. I would not be surprised if there are other species of fungi that grow under the same conditions as N. crassa that also utilize quinic acid as well. In an environment that is completely starved of an organism’s preferred carbon source, but there is an abundance of another, their option is either to adapt and utilize a different carbon source or die. Being able to utilize quinic acid as a carbon source would be beneficial to the organism. If this were the case in nature, it would make sense for other organisms other than N. crassa to adapt to also utilize quinic acid as an alternate carbon source.
ReplyDeleteMost likely the quinic acid gene cluster does play a role in fungal survival in an environment preferable for N. crassa. If the fungi's desired carbon sources are absent, they may adapt to utilize quinic acid as a replacement. Fungi are known throughout nature to adapt to difficult conditions, grow and survive. This is probably the case here, with the quinic acid gene cluster as evidence.
ReplyDeleteI think that the gene cluster allowed the fungus to create a new niche for itself and survive when other things couldn't by allowing it to metabolize quinic acid. This could allow it to out compete competitors because when carbon and nitrogen are gone it can still survival and continue creating what it needs
ReplyDeleteSince quinic acid gene cluster is essential for Neurospora crassa to utilize carbon, via the induction of quinic acid (alternative source of carbon), as its source of energy, I think N. crassa has better chance of survival in an environment that is deficient of natural carbon/nitrogen source.
ReplyDeleteI do feel that knowing that Neurospora crassa requires the quinic acid (QA) gene cluster to metabolize quinic acid shows a correlation to being able to live in this wet, high altitude climate. To further solidify this correlation, I feel like more species that are native to this same environment need to test for this QA gene cluster. If more than one species shows this cluster, then that would mean that it is more of an environmental factor; and, it is not just unique to N. crassa.
ReplyDelete