freB — Aspergillus fumigatus

Summary

AFU8G01310 (symbol freB) on chromosome 8 of Aspergillus fumigatus encodes a putative ferric-chelate reductase (Fre2) belonging to the ferric/cupric reductase family, with NADH:Fe3+ oxidoreductase and iron chelate reductase (NADPH) activities. The gene is associated with reductive iron assimilation, cellular response to iron ion starvation, iron transport, and copper ion import, and its product localises to the plasmalemma. It is also linked to filamentous growth and cellular iron ion homeostasis. Studies of related genes in other species connect the family to reduced virulence and vascular wilt, though these associations are not established for A. fumigatus.