Influence of International Space Station Conditions on Fungal ‘Omics’ in Aspergillus nidulans

This study presents the first global genomic, proteomic, and secondary metabolomic characterization of the filamentous fungus, Aspergillus nidulans, following growth on the International Space Station (ISS). The investigation included the A. nidulans wild-type and 3 mutant strains, two of which were genetically engineered to enhance secondary metabolite (SM) production. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) revealed that ISS conditions altered the A. nidulans genome in specific regions. In strain CW12001, which features overexpression of the SM global regulator laeA, ISS conditions induced a point mutation that resulted in the loss of the laeA stop codon. Differential expression of proteins involved in stress response, carbohydrate metabolic processes, and SM biosynthesis was observed. ISS conditions significantly decreased prenyl xanthone production in the wild-type strain and increased asperthecin production in LO1362 and CW12001, which are deficient in a major DNA repair mechanism. Together, these data provide valuable insights into the genetic and molecular adaptation mechanism of A. nidulans to the spacecraft environment and present many economic benefits.