CAT2 — Aspergillus fumigatus

Summary

AFU2G12530, designated CAT2, encodes a carnitine O-acetyltransferase (EC 2.3.1.7) with additional annotated fatty acid synthase, methyltransferase and redox activities, and phosphopantetheine and zinc binding. The predicted protein localises to the peroxisome and mitochondrial inner membrane. CAT2 is associated with carnitine and fatty acid metabolism, detoxification of hydrogen peroxide, autolysis, asexual sporulation, antibiotic and secondary metabolite biosynthesis, and methylation. The gene is linked to numerous phenotypes including increased vegetative growth, lifespan, and resistance to osmotic stress, starvation, freeze-thaw and anaerobic conditions, as well as abnormal cell wall morphology, peroxisomal transport and morphology, and altered cell cycle progression. Studies of related genes in other species connect it to prion formation and endocytosis.