sit2 — Aspergillus fumigatus

Summary

AFU7G04730 (symbol sit2) on chromosome 7 of Aspergillus fumigatus encodes a major facilitator superfamily (MFS) transporter with iron-siderophore transporter activity. The gene is associated with siderophore metabolism, ferric triacetylfusarinine C import, siderophore-iron import, cellular response to iron ion starvation, iron transport, and membrane transport. The encoded protein localises to the cytoplasmic vesicle membrane, cell tip, and plasmalemma. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to siderochrome-iron transport and both reduced and unaffected virulence, as well as to invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in a mouse model.