BRLA — Aspergillus fumigatus

Summary

AFU5G06190 (BRLA, also known as steA) in Aspergillus fumigatus encodes the sexual development transcription factor SteA, a STE12-type transcription factor with C2H2 zinc finger domains that binds sequence-specific DNA and has DNA-binding transcription factor activity, including RNA polymerase II-specific activity. This gene is associated with reproductive processes, including mating behavior, parasexual conjugation with cellular fusion, sporocarp development, and both asexual and sexual reproduction. It is linked to conidiophore development, conidium germination, pigmentation, autolysis, regulation of filamentous and pseudohyphal growth, carbon catabolite repression, cellular response to nutrients, fumigaclavine C anabolism, and upregulation of cellular response to oxidative stress. The gene product localizes to the nucleus, cytoplasm, membrane, chromatin, and Tec1p-Ste12p-Dig1p and Ste12p-Dig1p-Dig2p complexes. Phenotypic associations include abnormal biofilm formation, absent mating efficiency, increased pheromone production, abnormal carbon source utilization, and decreased budding rate. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to sporogenesis, germination rate, and altered virulence.