MRT4 — Aspergillus fumigatus

Summary

AFU5G13470 (MRT4, AfMRT4) on chromosome 5 of Aspergillus fumigatus encodes a ribosome assembly factor Mrt4, a member of the Ribosomal_uL10 protein family. The product binds RNA and is associated with ribosomal large subunit biogenesis and assembly, preribosome large subunit precursor formation, nuclear mRNA breakdown, and ribosomal large subunit-nucleus export. It localises to the nucleolus, nucleoplasm, preribosome, ribosome, and cytoplasm. The gene is linked to numerous phenotypes including delayed cytokinesis and sporulation, decreased cell death, absent anaerobic growth, abnormal meiotic recombination and chromosome segregation, decreased fermentative metabolism, reduced cold sensitivity, increased desiccation resistance, and altered chitin deposition. An association with protein content has also been noted. Studies of related genes in other species connect the family to ribosome export and assembly processes.