Identification and characterization of novel transcription factors involved in the regulation of lignocellulosic biomass degradation in Trichoderma reesei (Hypocrea jecorina)

• Grant number: 14/09493-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: August 01, 2014
• End date: April 30, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biochemistry - Molecular Biology
• Agreement: Coordination of Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES)
• Principal Investigator: Roberto do Nascimento Silva
• Grantee: Amanda Cristina Campos Antoniêto
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 10/15683-8 - Studies of cellular signaling and induction mechanisms of cellulases formation by the fungus Trichoderma reesei (Hypocrea jecorina), AP.BIOEN.JP
• Associated scholarship(s): 16/15605-3 - In depth characterization of the Trichoderma reesei Azf1 transcription factor binding site by surface plasmon resonance analysis, BE.EP.DR

Abstract

Trichoderma reesei (Hypocrea jecorina) is a saprophyte fungus involved in the degradation of cell wall polysaccharides from plants. T. reesei has an astonishing ability to produce and secrete cellulases, and is the most important industrial fungus in the production of these enzymes that are used, among other purposes, in the biofuel industry, such as bioethanol. The degradation of the components of lignocellulosic wall is a complex process that requires a series of regulatory proteins to make it more efficient and save unnecessary energy expenditure. This project aims to contribute to the understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in the process of deconstruction of biomass in T. reesei through the identification of new transcription factors associated with this process. For this, a number of transcription factors potentially involved in the degradation of biomass will be identified by in silico analysis of RNA-seq data and subsequently deleted in order to verify their respective functions. Additionally, DNA binding motifs related to these regulatory proteins will be validated through the analysis of synthetic promoters fused to GFP reporter gene. With the data obtained, will be built a model of gene expression related to the transcription factors identified, enabling a better understanding of the behavior of gene expression of cellulolytic enzymes produced by T. reesei and contributing to the implementation of this fungus in the bioethanol industry. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

PEDERSOLI, WELLINGTON RAMOS; SANTOS, RODRIGO DA SILVA; VIEIRA NOGUEIRA, KAROLINE MARIA; SILVA-ROCHA, RAFAEL; ROSSI, ANTONIO. Deletion of pH Regulator pac-3 Affects Cellulase and Xylanase Activity during Sugarcane Bagasse Degradation by Neurospora crassa. PLoS One, v. 12, n. 1, JAN 20 2017. (14/09493-2, 14/03847-7)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

ANTONIÊTO, Amanda Cristina Campos. Identification and characterization of a new transcription factor, homologous to Saccharomyces cerevisiae Azf1, involved in the regulation of cellulase expression in the filamentous fungus Trichoderma reesei. 2018. Doctoral Thesis - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (PCARP/BC) Ribeirão Preto.