FLBC — Aspergillus fumigatus

Summary

AFU2G13770 (FLBC, flbC) in Aspergillus fumigatus encodes a C2H2 conidiation transcription factor FlbC, a zinc-finger protein with DNA-binding transcription repressor activity specific to RNA polymerase II. This gene is associated with asexual reproduction, spore germination, autolysis, polar cell growth, and cell wall biogenesis. It is also linked to cellular responses to cold, acidic pH, calcium ions, and metals, as well as carbon catabolite repression, regulation of ergosterol biosynthesis, and sterol metabolism. FLBC is associated with development of symbiont in host, positive regulation of cell-substrate adhesion, and upregulation of cell adhesion in biofilm formation. The encoded protein localizes to both the cytoplasm and nucleus. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to oxidative stress response and loss of pathogenicity.