CLM2 — Aspergillus fumigatus

Summary

AFU5G01710 (CLM2, AfCLM2) in Aspergillus fumigatus encodes a putative cytochrome P450 phenylacetate 2-hydroxylase, belonging to the fungal cytochrome P450 family. It exhibits 3-hydroxyphenylacetate 6-hydroxylase and phenylacetate hydroxylase activities, along with monooxygenase activity, heme binding, and iron binding. The gene is associated with phenylacetate breakdown, sterol homeostasis, asexual reproduction, and sporulation. It is linked to numerous phenotypes including decreased micronucleophagy, nucleophagy, and ribophagy; absent hyperosmotic stress resistance and cytokinesis; abnormal cell cycle progression; increased cell death; and arrested vegetative and exponential growth. The gene product localizes to the membrane. Studies of related genes in other species, such as ERG11, link the family to sterol biosynthesis, while sequence similarity connects it to cytochrome P450 monooxygenases.