ERG-3 — Aspergillus fumigatus

Summary

AFU1G05720 (ERG-3, also known as erg24B) on chromosome 1 of Aspergillus fumigatus encodes a sterol reductase with D14-sterol reductase activity and NADP binding, placing it in the ERG24_DHCR-like family. The gene is associated with ergosterol and sterol anabolism, filamentous growth of a population of unicellular organisms in response to biotic stimulus, hyphal growth, cellular response to xenobiotic stimulus, and homeostasis. Its product localizes to the endoplasmic reticulum membrane. The gene has been linked to numerous phenotypes including abnormal plasma membrane morphology, decreased spore germination, increased cell death, altered vacuolar transport, and reduced invasive growth. It is also associated with salt tolerance and decreased nutrient utilization. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to C-14 sterol reductase activity and associations with oxidative stress response and acid sensitivity.