The completion of genome-sequencing projects for a number of fungi set the stage for detailed investigations of proteins. We report the generation of versatile expression vectors for detection and isolation of proteins and protein complexes in the filamentous fungus Neurospora crassa. The vectors, which can be adapted for other fungi, contain C- or N-terminal FLAG, HA, Myc, GFP, or HAT-FLAG epi...

In a previous publication from this laboratory (l), it was mentioned that cell-free extracts of Neurospora mycelium form considerable amounts of pyruvate and ammonia from m-serine. It was also reported that pyridoxal phosphate stimulates the activity of this system. Results similar to these have recently been obtained by Reissig (2). On further examination of the Neurospora system, it has been ...

The LaBelle mitochondrial plasmid hybridizes to a small region of the mtDNA of different Neurospora species. Here, we show that the region of homology encompasses 1385 bp of plasmid sequence and 1649 bp of mtDNA sequence. Several findings--that the region of homology is not found in the mtDNAs of other organisms, that it includes the C-terminus of the ORF encoding the plasmid DNA polymerase, an...

Recombination junctions of several Neurospora mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutants and their revertants were identified. Their nucleotide sequences and putative secondary structures were determined in order to understand the nature of the elements involved in intramolecular recombination. Multiple deletions, involving the same portion of Neurospora mtDNA, were identified in six independently isola...

Links are being discovered between the circadian clock mechanisms in different species. The Neurospora Frequency protein has a rhythm of abundance and phosphorylation similar to that of the Drosophila Period protein, and Neurospora and mouse clock components, like Period, have 'PAS' domains.

Background: The period length of the Neurospora circadian clock is dependent on expression levels of its core transcription factor WCC. Results: Glycogen Synthase Kinase (GSK) forms a complex with the WCC and regulates its abundance. Conclusion: GSK modulates the period length of the circadian clock. Significance: GSK is a novel clock component of Neurospora transducing signals to the core osci...

Neurospora crassa has been systematically investigated for circadian entrainment behavior. Many aspects of synchronization can be investigated in this simple, cellular system, ranging from systematic entrainment and drivenness to masking. Clock gene expression during entrainment and entrainment without clock genes suggest that the known transcription/translation feedback loop is not alone respo...

were declining and now restricted to a signifi cantly smaller range (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 108, 662). Looking for possible causes, the researchers found that the declining species had a signifi cantly higher prevalence of infection with Nosema. They also discovered that the declining populations had reduced genetic diversity compared with the stable ones. Establishing causal links between ...

Biodegradation refers to the chemical dissolution of materials by microorganisms or other biological means. Biodegradable materials are those that can be consumed by microorganisms whereas biodegradability of a material refers to the ability of that material to be decomposed by biological agents, especially bacteria. Plastics are synthetic or semi – synthetic long chain polymeric molecules that...