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Jiujiang Yu,
jiuyu@srrc.ars.usda.gov1, William C. Nierman,
wnierman@tigr.org2, Deepak Bhatnagar1, and
Thomas E. Cleveland, eclevela@srrc.ars.usda.gov1. (1)
Southern Regional Research Center, USDA-Agricultural Research
Service, 1100 Robert E. Lee Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70124, (2) The
Institute for Genomic Research, 9712 Medical Center Dr, Rockville,
MD 20850
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| Aspergillus flavus is
notorious for its ability to produce aflatoxins. It is also an
opportunistic pathogen that infects plants, animals, and human beings.
The ability to survive in the natural environment, living on plant
tissues (leaves or stalks) or live or dead insects, make A. flavus
a ubiquitous species that can be found almost everywhere on our planet.
The saprophytic property of A. flavus has rarely been explored
for its potential benefit. In the course of investigating its pathogenic
mechanism, we have identified a gene encoding for a pectinase that is
capable of degrading complex starch into simple sugars for its
nutrition. It is well known that A. flavus possesses a whole
array of degrading enzymes that can breakdown organic matter, such as
cellulose, and produce energy. A. flavus whole genome sequencing
has been completed at The Institute for Genomic Research (TIGR). Genes
identified in the A. flavus genome that potentially encode for
enzymes involved in degrading organic matter, include cellulases, 11
amylases, 5 proteinases, 8 polygalacturonases, and hundreds of
hydrolases. These fungal enzymes could play important roles for its
saprophytic property. The A. flavus whole genome microarrays can
be used for genome-wide gene profiling and genetic expression studies.
Genetic engineering of the fungal genome can be considered to create a
highly efficient bio-degrader for bioconversion or for organic waste
recycling, particularly in the production of biofuels. |