About Aureobasidium melanogenum CBS 110374 (GCA_000721775)

Aureobasidium melanogenum, formerly known as Aureobasidium pullulans var. melanogenum is a ubiquitous black, yeast-like fungus that is found mainly in freshwater habitats. The species also includes strains causing human infections, which were previously classified as A. pullulans. It was named due to abundant melanin production and accumulation in the cell walls, which leads to dark green, brown or black appearance of the cells and colonies

The genome of A. melanogenum (as well as other closely related species) contains unusually high numbers of genes for extracellular enzymes for carbohydrate degradation (CAZy) and proteases, MFS membrane sugar transporters, and alkali metal cation transporters (or ion transporters). Genes presumably involved in the synthesis of the biotechnologically important polysaccharide pullulan and siderophores were found, but the gene for antibiotic Aureobasidin A could not be identified. Genes possibly associated with the degradation of plastic and aromatic compounds are also present.

Due to the relatively recent redefinition of the species, most published work does not yet distinguish between the new species belonging to the previously recognised A. pullulans species complex. It is therefore not clear to what extent this knowledge is valid for A. melanogenum.

(Text from Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia.)

Taxonomy ID 1043003

Data source DOE Joint Genome Institute

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