PEP — Aspergillus fumigatus

Summary

AFU1G14200 (PEP, also known as AfPEP, COR1, QCR1) on chromosome 1 of Aspergillus fumigatus encodes a metalloendopeptidase (EC 3.4.24.64) with signal peptidase, endopeptidase activator, and quinol-cytochrome-c reductase activities, belonging to the MPP/UQCRC_Complex family. The gene is associated with mitochondrial protein processing, aerobic respiration, and electron transport within the mitochondrial inner membrane and complex III. It is linked to inflammatory and immune responses, sporulation, morphogenesis, and proteolysis. Phenotypic associations include delayed respiratory growth, decreased oxidative phosphorylation, increased mutation frequency, premature cell cycle passage through the metaphase-anaphase transition, abnormal meiosis, and absent desiccation resistance. Studies of related genes in other species connect the family to mitochondrial genome maintenance, respiratory metabolism, and cell cycle control.