hapX — Aspergillus fumigatus

Summary

AFU5G03920 (hapX, also known as BZIP008 or HAP43) on chromosome 5 encodes a bZIP transcription factor that binds RNA polymerase II cis-regulatory regions and acts as a DNA-binding transcription activator. This gene is associated with siderophore metabolism and anabolism, including ferricrocin and N',N'',N'''-triacetylfusarinine C production, as well as reductive iron assimilation and response to iron and hypoxia. It is linked to ornithine metabolism and anabolism, gliotoxin anabolism, and the regulation of secondary metabolite pathways, including inhibition of asperthecin and sterigmatocystin formation and upregulation of cellular response to amino acid starvation. The gene is also connected to sexual sporulation, oxidative stress response, and iron concentration. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to pulmonary aspergillosis and verticillium wilt.