Mutant A. nidulans Strains Requiring Anticancer or Antifungal Compounds for Growth
Description of Invention:
This technology describes four genetically modified strains of Aspergillus nidulans that bear mutations in the gene encoding gamma-tubulin, a protein required for initiation of microtubule formation and mitosis. As a result of the mutations, these strains require the presence of an antimicrotubule agent as either an absolute or conditional requirement for growth, making the strains useful for drug discovery screens. Related proteins alpha- and beta-tubulin, which form the actual microtubules, are used in drug discovery efforts for anticancer drugs and are the targets of chemotherapeutics paclitaxel and vincristine. Significantly, identifying compounds that affect gamma-tubulin function, which is fundamentally different than that of alpha- and beta-tubulin, could lead to new types or classes of anticancer or antifungal compounds that act in a different manner. Furthermore, use of these strains in drug discovery offers the advantage of detecting growth against a background of no growth, compared to more typical methods of detecting decreased growth. Additionally, since microtubules are involved in a myriad of cell processes such as cell division, cell motility, and intracellular transport; these mutant strains could be useful in the study of these processes.
Relevant Publication:
M.K. Jung, N. Prigozhina, C.E. Oakley, E. Nogales, and B.R. Oakley. 2001. Alanine-scanning mutagenesis of Aspergillus gamma-tubulin yields diverse and novel phenotypes. Mol. Biol. Cell 12:2119-2136.
Licensing Status: This technology is no longer available for licensing.
Portfolios: Research Materials Infectious Diseases
For Additional Information Please Contact: Susan Ano Ph.D.
NIH Office of Technology Transfer
6011 Executive Blvd, Suite 325
Rockville, MD 20852-3804
Phone: (301) 435-5515
Email: anos@mail.nih.gov
Fax: (301) 402-0220
