rasB — Aspergillus fumigatus

Summary

AFU3G05770 (rasB) on chromosome 3 of Aspergillus fumigatus encodes a RAS small monomeric GTPase, a member of the Ras-type small GTPase family. The protein exhibits GTP, GDP, CTP, and UTP binding activities, GTPase activity, and protein serine/threonine kinase activator activity. It is associated with Ras protein signal transduction, the cAMP/PKA signaling cassette, and positive regulation of the pheromone response MAPK cascade. The gene is linked to cell-substrate adhesion, biofilm formation, inflammatory response, and mitigation of host defenses. It is also connected to the upregulation of filamentous growth, phenotypic switching, apoptosis, and protein import into the nucleus in response to stimuli such as heat and glucose. The protein localizes to the plasma membrane, cytoplasm, division septum, and Cdc42 GTPase complex. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to reduced virulence.