RCO-3 and COL-26 form an external-to-internal module that regulates the dual-affinity glucose transport system in Neurospora crassa

Abstract Background Low- and high-affinity glucose transport system is a conserved strategy of microorganism to cope with environmental fluctuation for their growth competitiveness. In Neurospora crassa , the dual-affinity consists low-affinity transporter GLT-1 two transporters HGT-1/HGT-2, which play diverse roles in transport, carbon metabolism, cellulase expression regulation. However, regulation this dual-transporter response not yet clear. Results study, we report that module consisting downstream transcription factor COL-26 an upstream non-transporting sensor RCO-3 regulates N. . directly binds promoter regions glt-1 hgt-1 hgt-2 whereas whose deletion mutant resembles ? col-26 phenotypically. Transcriptional profiling analysis revealed rco-3 mutants had similar transcriptional profiles, both impaired gradient. We also showed AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) complex involved transporters. AMPK required repression starvation conditions by inhibiting activity RCO-3. Conclusions form external-to-internal system. Transcription was identified as key regulator. Our findings provide novel insight into molecular basis uptake signaling filamentous fungi, may aid rational design fungal strains industrial purposes.