aflM — Aspergillus fumigatus

Summary

AFU1G17650 (aflM) on chromosome 1 of Aspergillus fumigatus encodes a short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase (SDR) with versicolorin reductase activity, an oxidoreductase acting on CH-OH group donors. The gene is associated with aflatoxin and sterigmatocystin biosynthesis, secondary metabolite production, and nitric oxide storage, and its product localises to the cytosol. It is linked to the related gene stcU and to homologues DHG2 and SCR3. Studies of related genes in other species, including Fusarium and Verticillium, connect related SDRs to polyketide synthase functions and broader redox activities, though these associations are not established for this specific gene.