Transcription and expression analyses of WdCHS5, which encodes a class V chitin synthase with a myosin motor-like domain in Wangiella (Exophiala) dermatitidis.

WdChs5p in Wangiella dermatitidis is a class V chitin synthase that is required for sustained cell growth at the temperature of infection (37 degrees C) and its encoding gene, WdCHS5, has a differential expression feature. Nuclear run-on and mRNA stability assays showed that increased WdCHS5 mRNA synthesis was the major factor responsible for the increased WdCHS5 transcript at 37 degrees C. Epitope tagging of WdChs5p in W. dermatitidis showed that the WdChs5p-myc protein had a differential expression feature that was similar to the differential transcription of the WdCHS5 gene. In conclusion, it is shown that transcriptional regulation is the first and probably the most important control point of the expression of WdCHS5.