An actin-like protein PoARP9 involves in the regulation of development and cellulase and amylase expression in Penicillium oxalicum

Aims In eukaryotic cells, chromatin remodelling complexes are essential for the accessibility of transcription factors to the specific regulating regions of downstream genes. Here, we identified an actin-like protein PoARP9 in cellulase production strain Penicillium oxalicum 114-2, which was an essential member of SWI/SNF complex. To investigate the physiological function of PoARP9 in transcriptional regulation, the coding gene Poarp9 was deleted in P. oxalicum 114-2. Methods and Results The absence of PoARP9 affected the colony growth on medium with glucose, cellulose or starch as sole carbon source. Meanwhile, the expression levels of major cellulase genes were all upregulated in Delta Poarp9 under the cellulase-inducing condition. In addition, the expression levels of amylase transcription activator AmyR as well as two major amylase genes were also increased in Delta Poarp9. Conclusions These results demonstrated that chromatin remodelling affects the development and expression of cellulase and amylase in P. oxalicum. And the SWI/SNF complex member PoARP9 plays essential roles in these processes. Significance and Impact of the Study This study provided new insights into the regulation of cellulase and development in P. oxalicum. And the regulatory function of SWI/SNF complex member ARP9 towards cellulase and amylase expression in P. oxalicum was verified for the first time.