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Deletion of theCochliobolus heterostrophus mating-type (MAT) locus promotes the function ofMAT transgenes

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Abstract

Cochhobolus heterostrophus has alternate genes (MAT-1 andMAT-2) at its mating-type locus. Transformants of aMAT-1 or aMAT-2 strain carrying a transgene of opposite mating type can self and are dual maters; the transgene, however, promotes development of pseudothecia only, not ascospores. To determine if the resident gene interferes with the function of the transgene, transformation vectors were designed to delete different amounts (2.5 kb, 5.7 kb, and 6.3 kb) of DNA at theMAT locus. Deletions occurred at a higher frequency (about 90% of transformants) with linearized plasmid than with circular plasmid (about 15% of transformants), and all three vectors were equally efficient at gene replacement. BothMAT-1 andMAT-2 could be deleted with the same set of vectors. Re-transformation of deletion strains (regardless of deletion size) with a wild-type copy ofMAT restored full mating ability, indicating that the residentMAT gene interferes with function of theMAT transgene. Moreover, sexual development was normal whether theMAT transgene integrated at the homologous or at an ectopic site.

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Communicated by H. Bertrand

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Wirsel, S., Turgeon, B.G. & Yoder, O.C. Deletion of theCochliobolus heterostrophus mating-type (MAT) locus promotes the function ofMAT transgenes. Curr Genet 29, 241–249 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02221554

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02221554

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