chsD — Aspergillus fumigatus

Summary

AFU1G12600 (symbol chsD, also known as CHS-6 or AfCHS-6) on chromosome 1 of Aspergillus fumigatus encodes a chitin synthase (EC 2.4.1.16) with chitin synthase activity, actin binding, ATP binding, and cytoskeletal motor activity. The protein contains a chitin synthase domain and a nucleotide-diphosphosugar transferase domain. It is associated with chitin anabolism, cell wall organization, hyphal growth, conidiophore development, and asexual sporulation. The gene product localizes to the apical plasma membrane, myosin complex, cytoplasmic vesicle membrane, cross wall, cell periphery, and cell tip. Polysaccharide content is linked to this gene. Studies of related genes in other species connect the family to reduced virulence and loss of pathogenicity, though these associations are not established for A. fumigatus.