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Microbial Cell Factories Oct 2020Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) is an important cofactor ensuring intracellular redox balance, anabolism and cell growth in all living systems. Our...
BACKGROUND
Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) is an important cofactor ensuring intracellular redox balance, anabolism and cell growth in all living systems. Our recent multi-omics analyses of glucoamylase (GlaA) biosynthesis in the filamentous fungal cell factory Aspergillus niger indicated that low availability of NADPH might be a limiting factor for GlaA overproduction.
RESULTS
We thus employed the Design-Build-Test-Learn cycle for metabolic engineering to identify and prioritize effective cofactor engineering strategies for GlaA overproduction. Based on available metabolomics and C metabolic flux analysis data, we individually overexpressed seven predicted genes encoding NADPH generation enzymes under the control of the Tet-on gene switch in two A. niger recipient strains, one carrying a single and one carrying seven glaA gene copies, respectively, to test their individual effects on GlaA and total protein overproduction. Both strains were selected to understand if a strong pull towards glaA biosynthesis (seven gene copies) mandates a higher NADPH supply compared to the native condition (one gene copy). Detailed analysis of all 14 strains cultivated in shake flask cultures uncovered that overexpression of the gsdA gene (glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase), gndA gene (6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase) and maeA gene (NADP-dependent malic enzyme) supported GlaA production on a subtle (10%) but significant level in the background strain carrying seven glaA gene copies. We thus performed maltose-limited chemostat cultures combining metabolome analysis for these three isolates to characterize metabolic-level fluctuations caused by cofactor engineering. In these cultures, overexpression of either the gndA or maeA gene increased the intracellular NADPH pool by 45% and 66%, and the yield of GlaA by 65% and 30%, respectively. In contrast, overexpression of the gsdA gene had a negative effect on both total protein and glucoamylase production.
CONCLUSIONS
This data suggests for the first time that increased NADPH availability can indeed underpin protein and especially GlaA production in strains where a strong pull towards GlaA biosynthesis exists. This data also indicates that the highest impact on GlaA production can be engineered on a genetic level by increasing the flux through the pentose phosphate pathway (gndA gene) followed by engineering the flux through the reverse TCA cycle (maeA gene). We thus propose that NADPH cofactor engineering is indeed a valid strategy for metabolic engineering of A. niger to improve GlaA production, a strategy which is certainly also applicable to the rational design of other microbial cell factories.
Topics: Aspergillus niger; Coenzymes; Glucan 1,4-alpha-Glucosidase; Metabolic Engineering; NADP; Pentose Phosphate Pathway; Protein Biosynthesis
PubMed: 33097040
DOI: 10.1186/s12934-020-01450-w -
G3 (Bethesda, Md.) Jul 2022Mating-type distribution within a phylogenetic tree, heterokaryon compatibility, and subsequent diploid formation were studied in 24 Aspergillus niger sensu stricto...
Mating-type distribution within a phylogenetic tree, heterokaryon compatibility, and subsequent diploid formation were studied in 24 Aspergillus niger sensu stricto strains. The genomes of the 24 strains were sequenced and analyzed revealing an average of 6.1 ± 2.0 variants/kb between Aspergillus niger sensu stricto strains. The genome sequences were used together with available genome data to generate a phylogenetic tree revealing 3 distinct clades within Aspergillus niger sensu stricto. The phylogenetic tree revealed that both MAT1-1 and MAT1-2 mating types were present in each of the 3 clades. The phylogenetic differences were used to select for strains to analyze heterokaryon compatibility. Conidial color markers (fwnA and brnA) and auxotrophic markers (pyrG and nicB) were introduced via CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing in a selection of strains. Twenty-three parasexual crosses using 11 different strains were performed. Only a single parasexual cross between genetically highly similar strains resulted in a successful formation of heterokaryotic mycelium and subsequent diploid formation, indicating widespread heterokaryon incompatibility as well as multiple active heterokaryon incompatibility systems between Aspergillus niger sensu stricto strains. The 2 vegetatively compatible strains were of 2 different mating types and a stable diploid was isolated from this heterokaryon. Sclerotium formation was induced on agar media containing Triton X-100; however, the sclerotia remained sterile and no ascospores were observed. Nevertheless, this is the first report of a diploid Aspergillus niger sensu stricto strain with 2 different mating types, which offers the unique possibility to screen for conditions that might lead to ascospore formation in A. niger.
Topics: Aspergillus; Aspergillus niger; Diploidy; Phylogeny; Reproduction; Spores, Fungal
PubMed: 35608315
DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkac124 -
PloS One 2011Aspergillus niger is perhaps the most important fungus used in biotechnology, and is also one of the most commonly encountered fungi contaminating foods and feedstuffs,...
Aspergillus niger is perhaps the most important fungus used in biotechnology, and is also one of the most commonly encountered fungi contaminating foods and feedstuffs, and occurring in soil and indoor environments. Many of its industrial applications have been given GRAS status (generally regarded as safe). However, A. niger has the potential to produce two groups of potentially carcinogenic mycotoxins: fumonisins and ochratoxins. In this study all available industrial and many non-industrial strains of A. niger (180 strains) as well as 228 strains from 17 related black Aspergillus species were examined for mycotoxin production. None of the related 17 species of black Aspergilli produced fumonisins. Fumonisins (B(2), B(4), and B(6)) were detected in 81% of A. niger, and ochratoxin A in 17%, while 10% of the strains produced both mycotoxins. Among the industrial strains the same ratios were 83%, 33% and 26% respectively. Some of the most frequently used strains in industry NRRL 337, 3112 and 3122 produced both toxins and several strains used for citric acid production were among the best producers of fumonisins in pure agar culture. Most strains used for other biotechnological processes also produced fumonisins. Strains optimized through random mutagenesis usually maintained their mycotoxin production capability. Toxigenic strains were also able to produce the toxins on media suggested for citric acid production with most of the toxins found in the biomass, thereby questioning the use of the remaining biomass as animal feed. In conclusion it is recommended to use strains of A. niger with inactive or inactivated gene clusters for fumonisins and ochratoxins, or to choose isolates for biotechnological uses in related non-toxigenic species such as A. tubingensis, A. brasiliensis, A vadensis or A. acidus, which neither produce fumonisins nor ochratoxins.
Topics: Aspergillus niger; Citric Acid; Culture Media; Fumonisins; Industrial Microbiology; Ochratoxins; Species Specificity
PubMed: 21853139
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0023496 -
Fungal Biology 2023The azo dye Congo Red (CR) is frequently used as an agent to elicit cell wall integrity stress in fungi. This highly toxic aromatic, heterocyclic compound contains two...
The azo dye Congo Red (CR) is frequently used as an agent to elicit cell wall integrity stress in fungi. This highly toxic aromatic, heterocyclic compound contains two azo bonds as chromophore, which are responsible for protonation under acidic conditions, leading to changes in the molecular structure of the dye and the color of the solution. The investigation of how CR affects the growth of Aspergillus nidulans and Aspergillus niger on surface cultures provided us with evidence about its pH-dependent toxicity. Reducing the starting pH of the media from 7 to 3 decreased both the toxicity of CR and the dose-dependence of its toxicity substantially. These changes can be explained by the pH-dependent structural changes of CR and its precipitation at low pH. The pH also depended on the fungi; they could induce a decrease or even an increase, which could be important in the loss of dose-dependence. Our experiments led to the conclusion that in studies to evaluate the antifungal effect of CR, properly buffered solutions with pH values adjusted to above 5 are highly recommended to achieve a well-detectable and dose-dependent antifungal effect. However, for decolorization of CR solutions, lower pH is suggested where the decreased toxicity and solubility of CR could help this process.
Topics: Congo Red; Aspergillus niger; Aspergillus nidulans; Antifungal Agents; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
PubMed: 37495307
DOI: 10.1016/j.funbio.2022.05.006 -
Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology Mar 2011L-Arabinose is the second most abundant pentose beside D-xylose and is found in the plant polysaccharides, hemicellulose and pectin. The need to find renewable carbon... (Review)
Review
L-Arabinose is the second most abundant pentose beside D-xylose and is found in the plant polysaccharides, hemicellulose and pectin. The need to find renewable carbon and energy sources has accelerated research to investigate the potential of L-arabinose for the development and production of biofuels and other bioproducts. Fungi produce a number of extracellular arabinanases, including α-L-arabinofuranosidases and endo-arabinanases, to specifically release L-arabinose from the plant polymers. Following uptake of L-arabinose, its intracellular catabolism follows a four-step alternating reduction and oxidation path, which is concluded by a phosphorylation, resulting in D-xylulose 5-phosphate, an intermediate of the pentose phosphate pathway. The genes and encoding enzymes L-arabinose reductase, L-arabinitol dehydrogenase, L-xylulose reductase, xylitol dehydrogenase, and xylulokinase of this pathway were mainly characterized in the two biotechnological important fungi Aspergillus niger and Trichoderma reesei. Analysis of the components of the L-arabinose pathway revealed a number of specific adaptations in the enzymatic and regulatory machinery towards the utilization of L-arabinose. Further genetic and biochemical analysis provided evidence that L-arabinose and the interconnected D-xylose pathway are also involved in the oxidoreductive degradation of the hexose D-galactose.
Topics: Arabinose; Aspergillus niger; Metabolic Networks and Pathways; Polysaccharides; Trichoderma
PubMed: 21212945
DOI: 10.1007/s00253-010-3071-8 -
Journal of Microbiology and... Sep 2023In this study, we sought to investigate the production and optimization of biosurfactants by soil fungi isolated from petroleum oil-contaminated soil in Saudi Arabia....
In this study, we sought to investigate the production and optimization of biosurfactants by soil fungi isolated from petroleum oil-contaminated soil in Saudi Arabia. Forty-four fungal isolates were isolated from ten petroleum oil-contaminated soil samples. All isolates were identified using the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, and biosurfactant screening showed that thirty-nine of the isolates were positive. SA1 was the highest biosurfactant producer, demonstrating surface tension, drop collapsing, oil displacement, and an emulsification index (E) of 35.8 mN/m, 0.55 cm, 6.7 cm, and 70%, respectively. This isolate was therefore selected for biosurfactant optimization using the Fit Group model. The biosurfactant yield was increased 1.22 times higher than in the nonoptimized medium (8.02 g/l) under conditions of pH 6, temperature 35°C, waste frying oil (5.5 g), agitation rate of 200 rpm, and an incubation period of 7 days. Model significance and fitness analysis had an RMSE score of 0.852 and a -value of 0.0016. The biosurfactant activities were surface tension (35.8 mN/m), drop collapsing (0.7 cm), oil displacement (4.5 cm), and E (65.0%). The time course of biosurfactant production was a growth-associated phase. The main outputs of the mathematical model for biomass yield were Yx/s (1.18), and μ (0.0306) for biosurfactant yield was Y (1.87) and Y (2.51); for waste frying oil consumption the S was 55 g/l, and K was 2.56. To verify the model's accuracy, percentage errors between biomass and biosurfactant yields were determined by experimental work and calculated using model equations. The average error of biomass yield was 2.68%, and the average error percentage of biosurfactant yield was 3.39%.
Topics: Fermentation; Aspergillus niger; Petroleum; Soil; Models, Theoretical; Surface-Active Agents
PubMed: 37449330
DOI: 10.4014/jmb.2303.03005 -
Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy Oct 2011Aspergillus niger is a common clinical isolate. Multiple species comprise the Aspergillus section Nigri and are separable using sequence data. The antifungal...
Aspergillus niger is a common clinical isolate. Multiple species comprise the Aspergillus section Nigri and are separable using sequence data. The antifungal susceptibility of these cryptic species is not known. We determined the azole MICs of 50 black aspergilli, 45 from clinical specimens, using modified EUCAST (mEUCAST) and Etest methods. Phylogenetic trees were prepared using the internal transcribed spacer, beta-tubulin, and calmodulin sequences to identify strains to species level and the results were compared with those obtained with cyp51A sequences. We attempted to correlate cyp51A mutations with azole resistance. Etest MICs were significantly different from mEUCAST MICs (P < 0.001), with geometric means of 0.77 and 2.79 mg/liter, respectively. Twenty-six of 50 (52%) isolates were itraconazole resistant by mEUCAST (MICs > 8 mg/liter), with limited cross-resistance to other azoles. Using combined beta-tubulin/calmodulin sequences, the 45 clinical isolates grouped into 5 clades, A. awamori (55.6%), A. tubingensis (17.8%), A. niger (13.3%), A. acidus (6.7%), and an unknown group (6.7%), none of which were morphologically distinguishable. Itraconazole resistance was found in 36% of the isolates in the A. awamori group, 90% of the A. tubingensis group, 33% of the A. niger group, 100% of the A. acidus group, and 67% of the unknown group. These data suggest that cyp51A mutations in section Nigri may not play as important a role in azole resistance as in A. fumigatus, although some mutations (G427S, K97T) warrant further study. Numerous cryptic species are found in clinical isolates of the Aspergillus section Nigri and are best reported as "A. niger complex" by clinical laboratories. Itraconazole resistance was common in this data set, but azole cross-resistance was unusual. The mechanism of resistance remains obscure.
Topics: Antifungal Agents; Aspergillosis; Aspergillus niger; Azoles; Base Sequence; Calmodulin; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System; DNA, Intergenic; Drug Resistance, Fungal; Fungal Proteins; Itraconazole; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Mutation; Phylogeny; Sequence Alignment; Sequence Analysis, DNA; Tubulin
PubMed: 21768508
DOI: 10.1128/AAC.00304-11 -
Scientific Reports Apr 2021Nuts are the natural source of healthy lipids, proteins, and omega-3. They are susceptible to fungal and mycotoxins contamination because of their high nutritional...
Nuts are the natural source of healthy lipids, proteins, and omega-3. They are susceptible to fungal and mycotoxins contamination because of their high nutritional value. Twenty-five species comprising 12 genera were isolated from 80 samples of dried fruits and nuts using the dilution plate method. Peanut recorded the highest level of contamination followed by coconut; almond and raisin were the lowest. Aspergillus was the most prevalent genus and A. niger, was the most dominant species. The morphological identification of the selected A. niger isolates as they were detected in high frequency of occurrence was confirmed by using 18SrRNA sequence. Ochratoxin biosynthesis gene Aopks was detected in the tested isolates. Lipase production by the selected A. niger isolates was determined with enzyme activity index (EAI) ranging from 2.02 to 3.28. A. niger-26 was the highest lipase producer with enzyme activity of 0.6 ± 0.1 U/ml by the trimetric method. Lip2 gene was also detected in the tested isolates. Finally, the antibacterial and antibiofilm efficiency of crude lipase against some human pathogens was monitored. Results exhibited great antibacterial efficacy with minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of 20 to 40 µl/100 µl against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis, and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Interestingly, significant anti-biofilm efficacy with inhibition percentages of 95.3, 74.9, 77.1 and 93.6% was observed against the tested pathogens, respectively.
Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Aspergillus niger; Bacteria; Base Sequence; Biofilms; Biosynthetic Pathways; Humans; Lipase; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Mycobiome; Nuts; Ochratoxins; Phylogeny; Virulence
PubMed: 33846447
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-87079-0 -
Fungal Genetics and Biology : FG & B May 2017In both natural and man-made environments, microorganisms live in mixed populations, while in laboratory conditions monocultures are mainly used. Microbial interactions...
In both natural and man-made environments, microorganisms live in mixed populations, while in laboratory conditions monocultures are mainly used. Microbial interactions are often described as antagonistic, but can also be neutral or cooperative, and are generally associated with a metabolic change of each partner and cause a change in the pattern of produced bioactive molecules. A. niger and A. oryzae are two filamentous fungi widely used in industry to produce various enzymes (e.g. pectinases, amylases) and metabolites (e.g. citric acid). The co-cultivation of these two fungi in wheat bran showed an equal distribution of the two strains forming mixed colonies with a broad range of carbohydrate active enzymes produced. This stable mixed microbial system seems suitable for subsequent commercial processes such as enzyme production. XlnR knock-out strains for both aspergilli were used to study the influence of plant cell wall degrading enzyme production on the fitness of the mixed culture. Microscopic observation correlated with quantitative PCR and proteomic data suggest that the XlnR Knock-out strain benefit from the release of sugars by the wild type strain to support its growth.
Topics: Aspergillus niger; Aspergillus oryzae; Coculture Techniques; Dietary Fiber; Enzymes; Fermentation; Fungal Proteins; Microbial Interactions; Proteomics; Trans-Activators
PubMed: 28232095
DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2017.02.006 -
Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering Feb 2018In its natural environment, the filamentous fungus Aspergillus niger grows on decaying fruits and plant material, thereby enzymatically degrading the lignocellulosic...
In its natural environment, the filamentous fungus Aspergillus niger grows on decaying fruits and plant material, thereby enzymatically degrading the lignocellulosic constituents (lignin, cellulose, hemicellulose, and pectin) into a mixture of mono- and oligosaccharides. To investigate the kinetics and stoichiometry of growth of this fungus on lignocellulosic sugars, we carried out batch cultivations on six representative monosaccharides (glucose, xylose, mannose, rhamnose, arabinose, and galacturonic acid) and a mixture of these. Growth on these substrates was characterized in terms of biomass yields, oxygen/biomass ratios, and specific conversion rates. Interestingly, in combination, some of the carbon sources were consumed simultaneously and some sequentially. With a previously developed protocol, a sequential chemostat cultivation experiment was performed on a feed mixture of the six substrates. We found that the uptake of glucose, xylose, and mannose could be described with a Michaelis-Menten-type kinetics; however, these carbon sources seem to be competing for the same transport systems, while the uptake of arabinose, galacturonic acid, and rhamnose appeared to be repressed by the presence of other substrates.
Topics: Aspergillus niger; Kinetics; Lignin; Monosaccharides
PubMed: 29052015
DOI: 10.1007/s00449-017-1854-3