YAK1 — Aspergillus fumigatus

Summary

AFU4G03850 (YAK1, AfYAK1) on Aspergillus fumigatus chromosome 4 encodes a putative dual-specificity protein kinase with cyclin-dependent protein kinase activity, ATP binding, and phosphatidylinositol phosphate binding. This protein kinase is associated with regulation of the cell cycle, including positive regulation of mRNA splicing via the spliceosome, response to mitotic DNA integrity checkpoint signaling, and negative regulation of anaphase-promoting complex-dependent catabolic process. It is linked to meiotic DNA replication checkpoint effector processes and regulation of cellular response to glucose starvation. Phenotypic associations include increased thermotolerance, altered cell cycle progression (including delayed telophase and increased M phase duration), premature meiosis, increased polyploidy rate, abnormal fermentative metabolism, and decreased adhesion. The gene is also associated with desiccation resistance, sporulation delay, and altered nitrogen source utilization.