Deletion and overexpression of the Aspergillus nidulans GATA factor AreB reveals unexpected pleiotropy

Abstract

TheAspergillus nidulanstranscription factor AreA is a key regulator of nitrogen metabolic gene expression. AreA contains a C-terminal GATA zinc finger DNA-binding domain and activates expression of genes necessary for nitrogen acquisition. Previous studies identified AreB as a potential negative regulator of nitrogen catabolism showing similarity withPenicillium chrysogenumNreB andNeurospora crassaASD4. TheareBgene encodes multiple products containing an N-terminal GATA zinc finger and a leucine zipper motif. We deleted theareBgene and now show that AreB negatively regulates AreA-dependent nitrogen catabolic gene expression under nitrogen-limiting or nitrogen-starvation conditions. AreB also acts pleiotropically, with functions in growth, conidial germination and asexual development, though not in sexual development. AreB overexpression results in severe growth inhibition, aberrant cell morphology and reduced AreA-dependent gene expression. Deletion of either the DNA-binding domain or the leucine zipper domain results in loss of both nitrogen and developmental phenotypes.