GAS1 — Aspergillus fumigatus

Summary

AFU8G02130 (GAS1, also known as gel5) encodes a glucanosyltransferase with 1,3-beta-glucanosyltransferase activity, belonging to the glycoside hydrolase superfamily and containing an X8 domain. The gene is associated with fungal-type cell wall assembly and biogenesis, cell wall 1,3-beta-glucan anabolism, glycan biosynthesis, and nucleotide-sugar metabolism. It is linked to host invasion, development of symbiont in host, adhesion of symbiont to host, single-species biofilm formation in or on host organism, cell-substrate adhesion, division septum assembly, establishment or maintenance of cell polarity, and cellular responses to pH and calcium ions. The protein localizes to the cell septum edging, primary cell septum, new and old growing cell tips, site of polarized growth, cellular bud membrane and scar, external side of plasma membrane, vesicles, and lipid rafts. Phenotype associations include abnormal filamentous growth, absent alkaline pH resistance, altered mating response and nuclear fusion, and increased fermentative growth. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to reduced virulence.