Publication Date
2025
Document Type
Dissertation/Thesis
First Advisor
Calvo, Ana M.
Degree Name
M.S. (Master of Science)
Legacy Department
Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract
The present study aimed at elucidating the role of hdt5 in fungal morphology, mycotoxin production and in plant virulence in Aspergillus flavus. Currently, methodologies to prevent the negative impact of A. flavus are insufficient. It is known that expression of the hdt5 gene is dependent on hbx1, a master regulatory gene that affects expression of hundreds of genes in the A. flavus genome, controlling both development and secondary metabolism. However, while the aflatoxin gene cluster has been elucidated, the genetic regulatory mechanisms controlled by hdt5 are not fully understood. For this study, therefore, a complete strain set composed of a wild type, deletion mutant, and complementation strains were generated by fungal transformation. The study then utilized thin layer chromatography and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to determine differential levels of aflatoxin produced between strains. B73 corn line seeds were used as the model of plant infection. The study established that hdt5 is required for normal conidiation in A. flavus but is not necessary for sclerotial development. The study also found that hdt5 is indispensable for normal production of aflatoxin B1 and B2 but does not influence production of cyclopiazonic acid and aflatrem. Additionally, we found that hdt5 is not required for initial plant infection but contributes to A. flavus aflatoxin biosynthesis in plant tissue. This information has yielded invaluable information on a potential novel genetic strategy for biological competitive control of aflatoxigenic A. flavus.
Recommended Citation
Omburo, Brenda, "Functional Characterization of the hdt5 Gene in Aspergillus flavus Morphogenesis, Mycotoxin Production, and Fungal Phytopathogenicity" (2025). Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations. 8131.
https://huskiecommons.lib.niu.edu/allgraduate-thesesdissertations/8131
Extent
75 pages
Language
en
Publisher
Northern Illinois University
Rights Statement
In Copyright
Rights Statement 2
NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.
Media Type
Text
