FAS Abstracts 2004 Meeting Page

Medical Sciences (MED): MED-19

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Endocytosis and pH signaling in Aspergillus nidulans.  E. GRAHAM, J. WILLIAMS, and S.H. DENISON.  Natural Sciences/Biology, Eckerd College, St. Petersburg, FL 33704.  Regulation of gene expression by ambient pH in the filamentous fungus, Aspergillus nidulans is mediated by a signaling pathway composed of the products of the palA, B, C F, H, and I genes and the PacC zinc-finger transcription factor.  This pH regulatory system ensures that extracellular enzymes (as well as permeases and exported metabolites) are produced under conditions of pH where they can function:.  The palI protein is a plasma membrane protein that is transported to vacuoles in response to alkaline pH, the signal which activates the signaling  pathway.  PalI may, therefore, be the pH receptor in the pathway, and pH signaling may involve endocytosis of the receptor.