hxkA — Aspergillus nidulans FGSC A4

Summary

ANIA_02180 (hxkA) on chromosome 7 of Aspergillus nidulans FGSC A4 encodes a hexokinase, a member of the hexokinase family with N-terminal and C-terminal domains and an ATPase nucleotide-binding domain. The enzyme possesses hexokinase, glucokinase, fructokinase, mannokinase, N-acetylglucosamine kinase, and glucosamine kinase activities, and binds ATP and D-glucose. hxkA is associated with canonical glycolysis, the pentose-phosphate shunt, glucose 6-phosphate metabolism, and the metabolism of glucose, fructose, mannose, and pentoses. It is linked to glucosamine and N-acetylglucosamine breakdown, fructose uptake, cell glucose homeostasis, and chitin anabolism. The gene has been connected to fungal-type cell wall biogenesis, regulation of proteolysis and phenotypic switching, and symbiont development and adhesion within a host. The encoded protein localises to the cytosol, nucleus, and mitochondria. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to reduced virulence and unaffected pathogenicity.