BCR1 — Aspergillus fumigatus

Summary

AFU2G11780 (BCR1, also known as creA) encodes a C2H2 zinc-finger transcription factor of the creA/MIG family, with DNA-binding and zinc-binding activity. In Aspergillus fumigatus, the gene is associated with carbon catabolite repression, regulation of carbon utilization, and downregulation of transcription by glucose. It is linked to secretion, biofilm formation, chromatin modeling, and the oxidative branch of the pentose pathway. The encoded protein localizes to both the cytoplasm and nucleus. Phenotypic associations include increased sporulation, abnormal pseudohyphal growth, decreased anaerobic and fermentative growth, altered cell cycle progression, and defects in chromosome segregation, meiosis, nuclear fusion, adhesion, and UV resistance. The gene is also linked to inflammatory response and autophagy. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to virulence, sugar content, germination rate, and oxidative stress response.