Abstract
We have cloned the Aspergillus niger dapB gene. Analysis of its nucleotide sequence and the corresponding protein sequence indicates that the gene encodes a type IV dipeptidyl aminopeptidase (DPP IV). Based upon its deduced sequence we predict the presence of a transmembrane domain in the protein. Furthermore, dapB-overexpressing transformants display an increase in intracellular DPP IV activity. This is the first reported characterisation of a dipeptidyl aminopeptidase with a transmembrane domain from a filamentous fungus. Using the dapB sequence as a query, we were able to identify 14 DPP IV-encoding genes, and 12 additional DPPIV proteases in public genomic databases. Phylogenetic analysis reveals that in yeasts there are two clades of genes that encode DPP IV proteases with a transmembrane domain. In this study we demonstrate that, as in yeasts, two classes of DPP IV-encoding genes exist in filamentous fungi. However, only one of these codes for DPP IV proteases with a transmembrane domain. The second type present in filamentous fungi encodes extracellular DPP IV proteases. The dapB gene belongs to the first cluster. We propose that DapB plays a role in the proteolytic maturation of enzymes produced by A. niger.
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This work was supported by Grant No. WBI 4100 from the Dutch Technology Foundation (STW).
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Jalving, R., Godefrooij, J., Veen, W.J.t. et al. Characterisation of the Aspergillus niger dapB gene, which encodes a novel fungal type IV dipeptidyl aminopeptidase. Mol Genet Genomics 273, 319–325 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00438-005-1134-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00438-005-1134-9