Identification of a permease gene involved in lactose utilisation in Aspergillus nidulans

► Identification beta-galactosidase/lactose permease gene cluster in Aspergillus nidulans. ► Cluster subject to CreA-independent carbon catabolite repression. ► MFS gene encodes physiological lactose uptake system of higher affinity. ► beta-Galactosidase gene is dispensable for lactose utilisation. ► Phylogenetics suggest cluster is ancient in ascomycetes.