Principles of cell wall remodeling of Aspergillus niger in response to cell wall degrading enzymes and inhibitors of cell wall biosynthesis: development of a reporter system to identify new antifungal targets (LPB.5113)

Filamentous fungi are important pathogens of plants and animals and form a serious problem in the food industry by causing food spoilage. To fight infections, an extracellular target such as the cell wall, is highly attractive. However, filamentous fungi can adapt to the presence of cell wall degrading enzymes or inhibitors of cell wall biosynthesis by changing their cell wall architecture, thereby making the fungus less sensitive or even resistant to antifungal agents.

This project is designed to elucidate the changes in cell wall architecture in filamentous fungi after exposure to antifungals that interfere with cell wall biosynthesis. the project further aims at the identification of new antifungal targets either directly related to cell wall remodeling mechanisms, or to signal transduction pathway(s) involved.

A combination of biochemical and molecular genetical approaches will be used by combining the skills and expertise of the two participating research groups. The work will focus on:

1. the identification of architectural changes in cell wall of A. Niger in response to challenges with cell wall degrading enzymes or inhibits of cell wall biosynthesis
2. the identification and subsequent isolation of genes that are involved in cell wall remodeling
3. the construction of reporter genes to monitor cell wall remodeling, and
4. the identification of the signal transduction pathway(s) involved in acquiring resistance after cell wall damage has occured.

Er zijn drie bedrijven, één instelling en één andere universiteit bij dit project betrokken.

Projectleider