Characterization of Natural Antisense Transcript, Sclerotia Development and Secondary Metabolism by Strand-Specific RNA Sequencing of Aspergillus flavus

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0097814
• Publication Date: 2014-05-21T20:36:19Z
• Authors: Xinliang Wu; Bin Zhou; Chao Yin; Yong Guo; Ying Lin; Li Pan; Bin Wang
• Keywords: Models, Molecular; 0301 basic medicine; 2. Zero hunger; Mycelium; Protein Conformation; Sequence Analysis, RNA; Science; Gene Expression Profiling; Reproduction; Q; Molecular Sequence Data; R; Agriculture; Molecular Sequence Annotation; Fungal Proteins; 03 medical and health sciences; Medicine; RNA, Antisense; Amino Acid Sequence; RNA, Messenger; Research Article; Aspergillus flavus

Aspergillus flavus has received much attention owing to its severe impact on agriculture and fermented products induced by aflatoxin. Sclerotia morphogenesis is an important process related A. reproduction aflatoxin biosynthesis. In order obtain extensive transcriptome profile of provide a comprehensive understanding these physiological processes, the isolated mRNA CA43 cultures was subjected high-throughput strand-specific RNA sequencing (ssRNA-seq). Our ssRNA-seq data profiled widespread transcription across genome, quantified vast transcripts (73% total genes) annotated precise transcript structures, including untranslated regions, upstream open reading frames (ORFs), alternative splicing variants novel transcripts. We propose natural antisense in might regulate gene expression mainly post-transcriptional level. This regulation be relevant tune biological processes such as biosynthesis sclerotia development. Gene Ontology annotation differentially expressed genes between mycelia indicated development closely reproduction. Additionally, we have established transcriptional model. identified potential linking These could used targets for controlled aflatoxigenic strains flavus.