CHARACTERIZATION OF PUTATIVE AQUAPORIN GENES IN THE PLANT PATHOGENIC FUNGUS CRYPHONECTRIA PARASITICA

Aquaporins are integral membrane proteins that facilitates the transportation of water molecules and a range of small solutes across the plasma membrane. They are members of the major intrinsic protein (MIP) family of channel proteins. Their efficiency and selectivity of transporting small molecules has been characterized during the growth, development, and stress response of a wide variety of organisms, but their role in the growth of filament out fungi is not well understood. This is despite the fact that a number of fungal processes, such as the formation and action of specialized plant pathogenic structures, are known to be dependent on water transport. We have begun to characterize the role of these proteins in the fungus Cryphonectria parasitica, the causative agent of Chestnut Blight. We have identified six potential aquaporin-encoding genes. For each example, we have established that there is detectable transcript expression when examining total colony RNA extracts. We are also investigating whether the is any change in expression by extracting RNA from time-limited portions of the mycelium. Finally, deletion constructs are being generated that will permit analysis of the potential functions of these proteins in relation to colony development and plant pathogenicity.  This project is supported by the National Institute of Health (NIH), Grant Number R25 Gm048998-13.