nirA — Aspergillus nidulans FGSC A4

Summary

ANIA_00098 (nirA, also known as AnNIT-4) on chromosome 8 of Aspergillus nidulans FGSC A4 encodes a Zn2Cys6 DNA-binding transcription factor. The encoded protein localises to the nucleus and cytosol and is associated with sequence-specific DNA binding and RNA polymerase II transcription factor activity. nirA is linked to nitrate assimilation, including nitrate import, nitrite response, and nitric oxide metabolism, as well as the regulation of nitrogen utilization. The gene has also been connected to appressorium formation, hyphal growth, sexual reproduction, nuclear import and export, the pentose-phosphate shunt, DNA replication, and methylation. Studies of related genes in other species link the nirA family to the XlnR/Xlr1 transcription factor family.