Characterisation of the Aspergillus niger dapB gene, which encodes a novel fungal type IV dipeptidyl aminopeptidase

R. Jalving, J. Godefrooij, J.W. van der Veen, A.J.J. van Ooyen, P.J. Schaap

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

8 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We have cloned the Aspergillus niger dapB gene. Analysis of its nucleotide sequence and the corresponding protein sequence indicates that the gene encodes a type IV dipeptidyl aminopeptidase (DPP IV). Based upon its deduced sequence we predict the presence of a transmembrane domain in the protein. Furthermore, dapB-overexpressing transformants display an increase in intracellular DPP IV activity. This is the first reported characterisation of a dipeptidyl aminopeptidase with a transmembrane domain from a filamentous fungus. Using the dapB sequence as a query, we were able to identify 14 DPP IV-encoding genes, and 12 additional DPPIV proteases in public genomic databases. Phylogenetic analysis reveals that in yeasts there are two clades of genes that encode DPP IV proteases with a transmembrane domain. In this study we demonstrate that, as in yeasts, two classes of DPP IV-encoding genes exist in filamentous fungi. However, only one of these codes for DPP IV proteases with a transmembrane domain. The second type present in filamentous fungi encodes extracellular DPP IV proteases. The dapB gene belongs to the first cluster. We propose that DapB plays a role in the proteolytic maturation of enzymes produced by A. niger
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)319-325
JournalMolecular Genetics and Genomics
Volume273
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2005

Keywords

  • peptidase-iv
  • prediction
  • alignment

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