RHO2 — Aspergillus fumigatus

Summary

AFU3G10340 (RHO2) on chromosome 3 of Aspergillus fumigatus encodes a putative Rho GTPase, a member of the small GTPase family. The product possesses GTPase activity, GTP and GDP binding, and is annotated with protein serine/threonine kinase activator activity and signaling adaptor activity. RHO2 is associated with the positive regulation of 1,3-beta-D-glucan biosynthetic processes and localizes to the 1,3-beta-glucan synthase complex, hyphal tips, and growing cell tips. The gene is linked to the regulation of septum digestion, exocytosis, endocytosis, cell polarity, and budding. Phenotypic associations include absent spore germination, delayed vegetative growth, decreased septum formation, abnormal cell fusion, and increased polyploidy. RHO2 is also associated with osmotic and alkaline pH stress resistance, delayed protein secretion, and abnormal vesicle distribution. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to loss of pathogenicity and reduced virulence.