HOG1 — Aspergillus fumigatus

Summary

AFU1G12940 (symbol HOG1, also known as sakA) in Aspergillus fumigatus encodes a mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) of the Sty1/Hog1 family, possessing protein serine/threonine kinase activity (EC 2.7.11.24) and ATP binding capability. This gene is associated with the stress-activated MAPK cascade and the high-osmolarity glycerol (HOG) response, linking it to osmotic sensing, conidium germination, asexual sporulation, host invasion, and carbohydrate storage including glycogen anabolism. It has been connected to inflammatory and immune responses, phagocytosis, mitochondrial fission, and cellular homeostasis. Associations with germination rate, oxidative stress response, and cell cycle progression have been noted, along with phenotypes including absent osmotic stress resistance and altered mating efficiency. Studies of related Hog1-family kinases in other species link the family to virulence and pathogenicity traits.