DAL7 — Aspergillus fumigatus

Summary

AFU6G03540 (DAL7, acuE) in Aspergillus fumigatus encodes a malate synthase (EC 2.3.3.9). The gene is associated with the glyoxylate cycle, gluconeogenesis, acetate and fatty acid breakdown, ethanol fermentation, siderophore anabolism, reductive iron assimilation, and secondary metabolism. It localises to the glyoxysome, peroxisome, and cytoplasm. Loss of DAL7 is linked to absent innate thermotolerance and sporulation, abnormal vegetative growth, peroxisomal morphology, and mitochondrial distribution, as well as altered stress resistance, biofilm formation, cell size, and carbon-source utilisation. The gene is also associated with oxidative stress response and decreased respiratory metabolism. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to loss of pathogenicity and reduced filamentous growth.