Abiotic signal transduction pathways in the classical eukaryotic model system: yeast

Our research is dedicated to signal transduction in fungi. The signals we take in consideration are basal evironmental stimuli as light, oxygen, and glucose ande their cross-talking. Light induces several responses not only in Neurospora crassa but also in the hypogeus fungus Tuber melanosporum. The photoreceptor involved is the heterodimer WC-1/WC-2 and in particular the sensor LOV (Light Oxygen Voltage) domain present in WC-1 subunit. The photochemical characteristics and the potential utilization of the LOV domain as a molecular switch for the construction of new molecules, suitable as tools for biotechnology and optogenetics, will be investigated. Glucose transport in yeasts is regulated by environmental glucose concentration. In the respiratory yeasts, like Kluyveromyces lactis, carbon metabolism between respiration and fermentation and lipid metabolism. The expression of the low-affinity glucose transporter Rag1 is also affected by oxygen: the correlations between the glucose signaling cascade and hypoxia will be explored in the regulation of the glucose transporter gene RAG1 in K.lactis