IRE1 — Aspergillus fumigatus

Summary

AFU1G01720 (AfIRE1, also known as STK-14) encodes a protein with serine/threonine kinase activity, RNA endonuclease activity, and calmodulin binding, and contains a protein kinase domain and WD40/YVTN repeat-like domains. It is associated with the endoplasmic reticulum membrane and the IRE1-TRAF2-ASK1 complex. The gene is linked to the positive regulation of ER-phagy, ER stress-induced apoptosis, upregulation of growth rate and spore germination, and activation of mycose catabolism. Phenotypic associations include increased virulence, increased thermotolerance, abnormal carbon source utilization, increased apoptosis rate, and decreased cell cycle progression in M phase. Related genes in other species link it to the IRE1 branch of the unfolded protein response and the oxidative stress response.