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Regulation of Isopenicillin N Synthetase (IPNS) Gene Expression in Acremonium Chrysogenum

Bio/Technology volume 8, pages 237–240 (1990)Cite this article

Abstract

Total RNA was extracted daily from the β-lactam antibiotic producing fungus A. chrysogenum strain CO728 during a 7 day cephalosporin C fermentation. IPNS mRNA species, with a size of about 1.5 kb, were detected by Northern blotting at high levels between days 2 and 4. The rapid appearance of IPNS mRNA in mycelial extracts up to day 2 suggests that IPNS is regulated at the transcriptional level. Primer extension and SI endonuclease mapping studies indicate the existence of two major and at least two minor transcription initiation start sites. There was no change in the relative levels of the four transcripts during the period they could be detected. A region upstream of the IPNS structural gene (pcbC) has been sequenced and the transcription initiation sites appear as major and minor pairs on either side of one of the pyrimidine-rich blocks that punctuate the promoter sequence.

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Author notes

  1. Melanie J. Dobson

    Present address: Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3QU

  2. Andrew W. Smith: To whom correspondence should be addressed.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Microbial Biochemistry and Genetics Group, Department of Botany, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD

    Andrew W. Smith & John F. Peberdy

  2. Fermentation Development Department, Glaxochem Limited, Ulverston, Cumbria, LA 12 9DR

    Martin Ramsden & Stephen Harford

Authors
  1. Andrew W. Smith
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  2. Martin Ramsden
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  3. Melanie J. Dobson
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  4. Stephen Harford
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  5. John F. Peberdy
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Smith, A., Ramsden, M., Dobson, M. et al. Regulation of Isopenicillin N Synthetase (IPNS) Gene Expression in Acremonium Chrysogenum. Nat Biotechnol 8, 237–240 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1038/nbt0390-237

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