ERG3 — Aspergillus fumigatus

Summary

AFU2G00320 (ERG3) in Aspergillus fumigatus encodes a sterol-C5-desaturase with lathosterol oxidase activity, belonging to the Sterol_Desaturase_Related and fatty acid hydroxylase families. It is associated with sterol homeostasis and ergosterol anabolism, and is linked to filamentous growth, hyphal growth, and cellular response to xenobiotic stimuli. The gene product localizes to the endoplasmic reticulum membrane, ER lumen, Golgi complex, and plasma membrane. ERG3 is associated with abnormal sporulation efficiency, absent spore germination, increased hydrostatic pressure resistance, decreased endocytosis rate, and altered autophagy. Studies of related genes in other species associate the family with loss of pathogenicity, reduced virulence, and increased biofilm formation, as well as sensitivity to calcium, acid, and oxidative stress.