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Analysis of a nonribosomal peptide synthetase gene from Alternaria brassicae and flanking genomic sequences

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Abstract

Very little information is currently available concerning the pathogenic determinants produced by Alternaria brassicae, the causal agent of the blackspot disease of crucifers. We screened a genomic library of this fungus and identified a nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) gene named AbrePsy1. The complete coding sequence is 22 kbp long and encodes a large protein (792 kDa) showing typical NRPS modular organization. Structural analysis of AbrePsy1 revealed four complete elongation modules, two of which have epimerization domains. In the vicinity of AbrePsy1, a second gene (named AbreAtr1), which encodes an ATP-binding cassette transporter was identified. Increased expression of AbrePsy1 and AbreAtr1 was observed during host-plant infection. However, while physically linked, these two genes are probably not functionally clustered, as their expression patterns differed.

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Acknowledgements

This work was in part supported by the Région Pays de Loire (CER Semences 2000–2006)

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  1. Faculté des Sciences, UMR PAVE 77, 2 Bd Lavoisier, 49045, Angers, France

    Thomas Guillemette, Adnane Sellam & Philippe Simoneau

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  1. Thomas Guillemette
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  2. Adnane Sellam
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  3. Philippe Simoneau
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Correspondence to Philippe Simoneau.

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Communicated by J. Heitman

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Guillemette, T., Sellam, A. & Simoneau, P. Analysis of a nonribosomal peptide synthetase gene from Alternaria brassicae and flanking genomic sequences. Curr Genet 45, 214–224 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00294-003-0479-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00294-003-0479-z

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