GAS4 — Aspergillus fumigatus

Summary

AFU2G01170 (GAS4, also known as gel1) on chromosome 2 of Aspergillus fumigatus encodes a glucanosyltransferase with 1,3-beta-glucanosyltransferase activity, placing it in the glycoside hydrolase superfamily. The gene is associated with beta-1,3 glucan metabolism, cell wall polysaccharide anabolism, and ascospore wall beta-glucan anabolism, as well as N-glycan processing, cellular responses to pH and calcium ions, biofilm formation, host adhesion, and invasion. Its product localizes to the hyphal and yeast-form cell walls, septa, bud membrane, and sites of polarized growth. Associations include abnormal cell wall morphology, altered sporulation efficiency, decreased spore germination, increased chitin deposition, and reduced virulence. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to relative growth rate, protein content, oxidative stress response, and aspergillosis.