Isolated Polynucleotides and Methods of Promoting a Morphology in a Fungus

Abstract

The invention includes isolated polynucleotide molecules that are differentially expressed in a native fungus exhibiting a first morphology relative to the native fungus exhibiting a second morphology. The invention includes a method of enhancing a bioprocess utilizing a fungus. A transformed fungus is produced by transforming a fungus with a recombinant polynucleotide molecule. The recombinant polynucleotide molecule contains an isolated polynucleotide sequence linked operably to a promoter. The polynucleotide sequence is expressed to promote a first morphology. The first morphology of the transformed fungus enhances a bioprocess relative to the bioprocess utilizing a second morphology.

1 . A method of promoting a morphology in a fungus comprising:
 providing a recombinant polynucleotide comprising an antisense orientated sequence that is complementary to a gene coding region that is differentially expressed in a native fungus exhibiting a pellet morphology relative to said native fungus exhibiting a filament morphology wherein the complementary sequence is complementary to an entirety of any one of SEQ ID NOs.:1, 6, 8, 12, 16, 18, 22, 24, 26, 28, 33, 36 and 37;   transforming  Aspergillus niger,      transcribing the antisense oriented sequence to produce a transcription product of sufficient length to hybridize to a gene coding sequence transcription product to block translation; and   suppressing expression of the gene coding region utilizing transcription products produced by expression of the recombinant polynucleotide, the suppression promoting a pellet or filament morphology capable of being assumed by the fungi in its native form.   
     
     
         2 . A method of enhancing a bioprocess utilizing a fungus, comprising:
 producing a transformed fungus by transforming  Aspergillus niger  with a recombinant polynucleotide molecule comprising a polynucleotide sequence complementary to the entirety any one of SEQ ID NOs.: 1, 6, 8, 12, 16, 18, 22, 24, 26, 28, 33, 36 and 37, linked operably to a promoter, the polynucleotide sequence being in antisense orientation;   transcribing the polynucleotide sequence to produce polynucleotide transcripts; and   hybridizing the transcripts to mRNA to suppress gene expression and promote pellet or filament morphology, the promoted morphology enhancing a bioprocess relative to the bioprocess utilizing an opposing filament or pellet morphology of the transformed fungus.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the promoted morphology is filament morphology. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the promoted morphology is pellet morphology.