Biotechnology Bulletin ›› 2025, Vol. 41 ›› Issue (10): 321-333.doi: 10.13560/j.cnki.biotech.bull.1985.2025-0314

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Proteomic Analysis Reveals the Role of AflaILVB/G/Ⅰ Gene in Aflatoxin Biosynthesis Based on 4D Label-free Technology

HUANG Chu-lan1(), ZENG Rui2, CHEN Pei-rong2, ZHAO Ya-rong2(), WANG Xu2, YAO Dong-sheng1()   

  1. 1.College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632
    2.Institute of Quality Standard and Monitoring Technology for Agro-products, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou 510640
  • Received:2025-03-26 Online:2025-10-26 Published:2025-10-28
  • Contact: ZHAO Ya-rong, YAO Dong-sheng E-mail:1515817278@qq.com;zyr520zyr@163.com;dsyao2001@263.net

Abstract:

Objective To investigate the role of acetohydroxyacid synthase (AHAS) in aflatoxin biosynthesis, particularly its molecular mechanism in regulating aflatoxin production through metabolic networks. Method A 4D Label-free proteomics approach was employed to systematically compare the protein expression profiles between theΔAflaILVB/G/I strain and the wild-type strain. Differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were subjected to GO enrichment, KEGG pathway, and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analyses. Result Mass spectrometry identified 1 158 DEPs, including 521 upregulated and 637 downregulated proteins. Among these, 17 were associated with aflatoxin biosynthesis, 14 of which were significantly downregulated and belonged to the aflatoxin biosynthetic gene cluster, consistent with RNA-Seq and RT-qPCR results. PPI network analysis of these 17 proteins and 9 DEPs related to branched-chain amino acid biosynthesis suggested that AHAS likely regulated aflatoxin production not through key hub proteins but by altering metabolic flux distribution. Conclusion TheΔAflaILVB/G/I strain disrupts valine and isoleucine biosynthesis, leading to insufficient succinyl-CoA and succinate levels. This metabolic reprogramming not only inhibits Aspergillus flavus growth but also suppresses aflatoxin synthesis.

Key words: acetohydroxyacid synthase, branched-chain amino acids, Aspergillus flavus, aflatoxin, Label-free proteomics technology