MRH1 — Aspergillus nidulans FGSC A4

Summary

ANIA_03361 (MRH1, also known as nopA) on chromosome 6 of Aspergillus nidulans encodes a member of the archaeal/bacterial/fungal rhodopsin family. The product binds trans retinal, exhibits photoreceptor and monoatomic ion channel activity, and localises to the membrane, plasmalemma and endoplasmic reticulum. The gene is associated with phototransduction, response to light stimulus, osmolarity sensing, regulation of gene expression, translation initiation, secondary metabolism, sporulation and homeostasis. Phenotypic associations include altered cell cycle progression, increased thermotolerance, increased anaerobic growth, abnormal colony color, altered desiccation and freeze-thaw resistance, abnormal ER and Golgi distribution, and changes in cell death, adhesion, cytokinesis, budding, protein transport, respiratory metabolism and starvation resistance. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to oxidative stress response and lifespan.