Aspergillus species biology

There is substantial industrial interest in the exploitation of Aspergillus species as cell factories. Therefore it is obvious to consider the exploitation of the solid knowledge base from systems biology for future design of improved and better cell factories. A major hurdle in this exploitation is that many of the high-through-put experimental techniques and bioinformatics tools available for analysis of the datasets are not well suited for fungi, at least not as well as for S. cerevisiae. 

A systems biology approach for the identification of target genes for the improvement of itaconic acid production in Aspergillus species. BMC Res. Notes,... 

Patulin (1) and penicillic acid (2) are secondary metabolites which are synthesized primarily by Penicillium and Aspergillus species. The patulin isolated has been given various names patulin, claviformin, clavacin, clavatin, expansin, leucopin, mycoin C, penicidin, and tercinin (Florey et aL, 1949 Scott, 1974 Singh, 1967 Wilson and Hayes, 1973 Wilson, 1976). Patulin and penicillic acid are produced by different fungal species, but the biological reactions leading to these two natural products are very similar. In this chapter, only the physical properties of patulin and penicillic acid relevant to biosynthetic studies will be discussed. 

Fischer, brilliant results were achieved, and in succession the a-amylases of pig pancreas, of Bacillus subtilis, of human saliva, of human pancreas, and of Aspergillus oryzae, and the /3-amylase of malt, were successfully crystallized. Important biological deductions were gained from this study whereas the amylases of human pancreas and saliva cannot be distinguished from one another, amylases from pig pancreas and from human pancreas are different. These differences are manifested in molecular weight, crystalline forms, electrophoretic mobility, and influence of the pH on the activity however, all the amylases have the same specific biochemical action. The identity of the enzymes seems to be dependent on the species and not on the organ. Interest in biologically active proteins led Meyer to a study of the protein hormones, a field in which he was very active at the time of his death. 

History, Use and/or Medical Implications Some species toxic. Aspergillus flaws, a yellow to yellowish green species, produces the deadly aflatoxins. A. Havus attacks cottonseed meals, peanuts and other seeds high in oil that have been stored in hot, damp environments. Of all the biologically... 

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