MDM1 — Aspergillus fumigatus

Summary

AFU1G09040 (AfMDM1, also known as AfTRM8) on chromosome 1 encodes a putative intermediate filament protein with a Phox-associated (PX) domain and regulator of G-protein signaling (RGS) domains, and is annotated for phosphoinositide binding. The gene is associated with asexual sporulation, secondary metabolism, protein transport, and signal transduction, and localizes to the ER-vacuole membrane contact site (NVJ), vacuole, and membrane. It has been linked to invasive pulmonary aspergillosis and to phenotypes including absent nuclear fusion during mating, decreased pheromone sensitivity, abnormal chromosome segregation, increased autophagy, and altered RNA modification. Related genes in other species are linked to abnormal mitochondrial distribution and endomembrane system morphology, as well as increased mating efficiency.