CAG1 — Aspergillus nidulans FGSC A4

Summary

ANIA_00651, also known as CAG1 or fadA, encodes a fungal G-protein alpha subunit (Fungi_Gprotein_alpha family) with GTPase activity and guanyl nucleotide binding. This gene on Aspergillus nidulans chromosome 8 is associated with GPCR signaling, and regulation of multiple secondary metabolite pathways including aflatoxin and sterigmatocystin biosynthesis, as well as penicillin anabolism. CAG1 is linked to developmental processes such as conidiophore and perithecium development, fruiting body formation, syngamy, and autolysis. It is associated with carbon catabolite repression, quorum sensing, pigmentation, and growth regulation. Phenotypic associations include effects on mating efficiency, pheromone production and sensitivity, cell cycle progression, sporulation timing, and nuclear fusion during mating. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to pathogenicity and virulence in various plant diseases.