ERG25 — Aspergillus fumigatus

Summary

AFU4G04820 (ERG25, erg25B) encodes a protein with sphingolipid delta-4 desaturase activity, sphingolipid C4-monooxygenase activity, and 4-methylsterol oxidase activity, belonging to the sterol desaturase-related and fatty acid hydroxylase families. The product is localized to the endoplasmic reticulum membrane and is associated with ergosterol and sphingolipid biosynthesis, sterol homeostasis, demethylation, MIPC metabolism, and mating. Loss of ERG25 activity is linked to abnormal plasma membrane morphology, altered cell cycle progression, decreased spore germination, invasive growth, and mating efficiency, as well as increased cell death and apoptosis. The gene is also associated with altered vegetative growth rates, decreased respiratory metabolism, nutrient uptake, and iron utilization, alongside increased biofilm formation. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to C-4 methylsterol oxidase function and, in some contexts, unaffected pathogenicity.