THI2 — Aspergillus nidulans FGSC A4

Summary

ANIA_03928 (THI2) in Aspergillus nidulans FGSC A4 encodes a suicide thiamine thiazole synthase (EC 2.4.2.60) with ferrous iron binding activity, belonging to the Thi4 family and the FAD/NAD-binding superfamily. The gene is associated with thiamine and thiazole biosynthesis, ethanol fermentation, and heterocyst formation. It localises to both the cytosol and nucleus. Phenotypic associations include abnormal cell cycle progression (G2/M arrest), increased apoptosis, abnormal nuclear and spindle pole body positioning, defective chromosome segregation, increased telomere length, enlarged nucleolus, abnormal actin cytoskeleton, increased colony sectoring, inviability, haploinsufficiency, decreased competitive fitness, altered toxin and chemical resistance, increased heat sensitivity, and decreased chemical compound accumulation. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to oxidative stress response, increased fermentative metabolism, biofilm formation, and altered mitochondrial mutation frequency.