Title

Differential expression of chitin synthase (CHS) and glucan synthase (FKS) genes correlates with the formation of a modified, thinner cell wall in in vivo-produced Beauveria bassiana cells

Authors

Aurelien Tartar, Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow
A. M. Shapiro
D. W. Scharf
Drion G. Boucias, University of Florida

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2005

Publication Title

Mycopathologia

ISSN

0301-486X

Volume

160

First Page

303

Last Page

314

Abstract

During infection (in vivo), the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana produces yeast-like cells that are surrounded by modified cell walls. These modifications have been related to the fungus ability to limit recognition by the host defense system. The composition of the in vivo cell wall was analyzed using a combination of cytochemical and molecular techniques. The in vivo cell walls still contained both chitin and 1,3-beta-glucan, but they were significantly thinner than in vitro cell walls (50-60 nm versus 100-160 nm, respectively). The difference in cell wall thickness was correlated with transcriptional regulation of cell wall-related genes: quantitative RT-PCR reactions demonstrated that B. bassiana chitin synthase (CHS) and glucan synthase (FKS) genes are down regulated in vivo. These analyses indicate that in vivo-triggered phenotypic modifications, including cell wall adjustments, are controlled by molecular mechanisms that include regulation of gene expression at the transcriptional level.

NSUWorks Citation

Tartar, Aurelien; A. M. Shapiro; D. W. Scharf; and Drion G. Boucias. 2005. "Differential expression of chitin synthase (CHS) and glucan synthase (FKS) genes correlates with the formation of a modified, thinner cell wall in in vivo-produced Beauveria bassiana cells." Mycopathologia 160, (): 303-314. https://nsuworks.nova.edu/cnso_bio_facarticles/45