Sequence of the cloned pyr4 gene of Trichoderma reesei and its use as a homologous selectable marker for transformation.

We have cloned and sequenced the Trichoderma reesei pyr4 gene encoding orotidine-5'-monophosphate decarboxylase. Comparison of this sequence with that of the equivalent gene from other filamentous fungi suggests that T. reesei is closely related to Cephalosporium acremonium and Neurospora crassa. The cloned pyr4 gene has been used as a homologous selectable marker for transformation of T. reesei. The majority of transformants obtained with circular plasmid were mitotically unstable and contained non-integrated plasmid molecules, sometimes in addition to plasmid integrated in the genome, Linearization of plasmid prior to transformation decreased the transformation frequency but increased the proportion of stable transformation obtained.