LAEA — Aspergillus fumigatus

Summary

AFU1G14660, symbol LAEA, encodes a methyltransferase belonging to the SAM-dependent methyltransferase superfamily in Aspergillus fumigatus on chromosome 1. The product is annotated with methyltransferase activity and EC 2.1.1.-. LAEA is associated with a wide range of biological processes including developmental growth, pigmentation, tube formation, autolysis, and the metabolism of secondary metabolites such as sterigmatocystin, gliotoxin, fumagillin, fumigaclavine C, endocrocin, and penicillin. It is also linked to the shikimate pathway, methionine metabolism, siderophore anabolism, response to superoxide, metabolic burst, and positive regulation of ascospore formation and penicillin metabolism. The protein localises to the nucleus. Associations with germination rate and oxidative stress response have been noted. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to reduced virulence and aspergillosis.