Diversity and molecular evolution of eukaryotic electron transfer mechanisms

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24380041
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Partial Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Applied microbiology
• Research Institution: University of Tsukuba
• Principal Investigator: TAKAYA Naoki 筑波大学, 生命環境系, 教授 (50282322)
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: NAD / NADH / Nudix hydrolase

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The filamentous fungus Aspergillus nidulans controls intracellular redox homeostasis by shuttling electron equivalents through cell membrane. Cellular NAD+/NADH level maintains the homeostasis and various fungal cell functions. This study employs A. nidulans as a model fungus, and revealed novel controlling mechanism of cellular redox state. I revealed that the Nudix hydrolase AnNUDT1 (NdxA) is a key controlling protein of cellular redox state. NdxA hydrolyzes NAD+/NADH, which affects rates of cellular thiamine biosynthesis and glycolysis, both of which use NAD+ as a substrate. NAD+ level also affects function of NAD+-dependent histone deacetylase isozyme (sirtuin A), and histone acetylation level, and hence fungal secondary metabolisms. These results shed light novel NdxA and NAD+/NADH function in the cellular processes, and contribute improved use of filamentous fungi in industry.

Free Research Field

応用微生物学