type	Journal Article
authors	Elrod, S.L.; Jones, A.; Berka, R.M.; Cherry, J.R.
title	Cloning of the Aspergillus oryzae 5-aminolevulinate synthase gene and its use as a selectable marker
journal	Curr Genet
Activity	2.3.1.37
Family	2.3.1.37
sel	selected
ui	11191214
year	(2000)
volume	38
number	5
pages	291-98
keywords	5-Aminolevulinate Synthetase/genetics/*metabolism
abstract	The hemA gene encoding 5-aminolevulinate synthase, the first enzyme in heme biosynthesis, was cloned from Aspergillus oryzae and evaluated as a selectable marker for the transformation of filamentous fungi. Deletion of the hemA gene resulted in a lethal phenotype that could be rescued either by the supplementation of culture media with 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) or by transformation with the wild-type hemA gene, but not by growth on rich media, nor by the addition of exogenous heme. Transformation of a hemA deletion strain with the hemA gene linked to a lipase expression cassette yielded ALA prototrophs expressing lipase. The hemA gene can therefore be used as a selectable marker for the transformation of A. oryzae.
last changed	2009/01/12 19:14