KTR4 — Aspergillus fumigatus

Summary

AFU5G02740 (KTR4, AfKTR4) in Aspergillus fumigatus encodes a putative alpha-1,2-mannosyltransferase (Ktr4) with GDP-Man:Man(3)GlcNAc(2)-PP-Dol alpha-1,2-mannosyltransferase and mannosylphosphate transferase activities (EC 2.4.1.131). The gene is associated with protein N-linked and O-linked glycosylation, N-glycan processing, mannan and cell wall mannoprotein anabolism, fungal-type cell wall organization, asexual sporulation (conidia formation), cell growth, cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesion, cell adhesion involved in multi-species biofilm formation, and mitigation of host defenses. The product localizes to the Golgi membrane, ER membrane, plasma membrane, cytoplasm, cytosol, and nucleus. Phenotypic associations include abnormal cell cycle progression (including arrest at G1 and G2/M), abnormal budding patterns, increased chitin deposition, abnormal protein secretion and transport, increased lifespan, and abnormal vegetative growth. Related genes in other species are linked to reduced virulence.