ORLA — Aspergillus nidulans FGSC A4

Summary

The Aspergillus nidulans gene orlA (ANIA_03441) on chromosome 6 encodes a protein with trehalose synthase activity, trehalose-phosphatase activity, and transglucosylase activity, containing Glyco_trans_20 and Trehalose_PPase domains. It is associated with mycose biosynthesis and metabolism, cellular responses to desiccation, heat, and nitrogen starvation, as well as chitin metabolism, cell wall organization, ascospore formation, autophagy, and cell cycle modulation. The protein localizes to the cytosol, nucleus, and trehalose-6-phosphate synthase complex. Phenotypic associations link orlA to increased acquired thermotolerance, freeze-thaw resistance, starvation resistance, and stationary-phase survival, alongside altered mating response, meiosis delay, spore germination absence, increased polyploidy, and decreased nuclear size. Studies of related genes in other species connect the family to trehalose-phosphate synthase activity (EC 2.4.1.15) and trehalose-phosphatase activity (EC 3.1.3.12), as well as oxidative stress response and acid sensitivity.