nirA — Aspergillus nidulans FGSC A4

Summary

ANIA_03768 (nirA) on chromosome 2 of Aspergillus nidulans FGSC A4 encodes a Zn(II)2Cys6 transcription factor with sequence-specific DNA binding and RNA polymerase II cis-regulatory region binding activities. This gene is associated with the regulation of nitrate assimilation and nitrogen utilization, as well as responses to nitrite, nitrate import, and nitric oxide metabolism. It has also been linked to appressorium formation, sexual reproduction, hyphal growth, nuclear import and export, the pentose-phosphate shunt, DNA replication, and methylation. The encoded protein localises to both the cytosol and nucleus. Studies of related genes in other species link this transcription factor family to nitrogen metabolism control.