The genes gmdA, encoding an amidase, and bzuA, encoding a cytochrome P450, are required for benzamide utilization in Aspergillus nidulans

Two unlinked loci, gmdA and bzuA, have previously been identified as being required for the utilization of benzamide as the sole nitrogen source by Aspergillus nidulans. We have cloned each of these genes via direct complementation. The gmdA gene encodes a predicted product belonging to the amidase signature sequence family that displays similarity to AmdS from A. nidulans. However, identity is significantly higher to the amdS gene from Aspergillus niger. The bzuA gene encodes a protein belonging to the cytochrome P450 superfamily and is orthologous to the benzoate para-hydroxylase-encoding gene bphA of A. niger. The bzuA1 mutation prevents the use of benzoate as a carbon source and intracellular accumulation of benzoate results in growth inhibition on benzamide. Northern blot analysis has shown that gmdA expression is subject solely to AreA-dependent nitrogen metabolite repression while bzuA is strongly benzoate inducible and subject to CreA-mediated carbon catabolite repression and a probable inactivation of benzoate induction by glucose. Fluorescence microscopy of a fusion of the N-terminal end of BzuA to green fluorescent protein revealed that this protein localizes to the endoplasmic reticulum.