VE1 — Aspergillus fumigatus

Summary

AFU1G12490 (VE1, veA) on Aspergillus fumigatus chromosome 1 encodes a Velvet domain-containing protein, a member of the Velvet family. The gene is associated with both positive and negative regulation of sporulation, including negative regulation of conidiophore development and sexual sporulation, as well as positive regulation of asexual sporulation. VE1 is linked to secondary metabolism, specifically the activation of gliotoxin and fumagillin anabolism, penicillin metabolism, and mycose biosynthesis. It has been connected to spore germination, sexual reproduction, protein secretion, phagocytosis, and oxidative stress response. The protein localises to both the cytoplasm and nucleus. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to reduced virulence and germination rate.