Systems biology analysis of the role of protein kinase A (PKA), in the fungus Trichoderma reesei by phosphoproteomic

Abstract

Lignocellulolytic enzymes production by filamentous fungi has been a constant object of study, mainly because such enzymes are of fundamental importance for the generation of biofuels from plant biomass. However, a highly effective microorganism has not yet been found for the hydrolysis of biomass. This is mainly due to the lack of a solid knowledge in regulating the production of these enzymes. One of the main mechanisms of protein synthesis regulation is by activation of phosphorylation cascades leading to the activation of transcription factors. Thus, understanding the signaling pathways activated under certain conditions may provide knowledge that allows engineer the microorganism so that it becomes a better producer of lignocellulolytic enzymes, even in catabolite repression conditions with high glucose concentrations. This project therefore proposes a systemic study of cAMP dependent protein kinase (PKA) action and PKA involvement in the regulation of the production and secretion of lignocellulolytic enzymes in Trichoderma reesei. Two strains of this microorganism (wild type and pkac1 knockout) will be cultivated in two carbon sources (glucose and sugar cane bagasse). The information generated in this work will contribute to the understanding of the catabolic repression mechanism and may be used to engineer the fungus T. reesei in order to increase the production of lignocellulolytic enzymes even in catabolic repression conditions. In addition, they will serve as source information for further research, as individual PKA targets studies (identified in this work) and its specific effects on the cell.