NIK1 — Aspergillus nidulans FGSC A4

Summary

ANIA_04479 (NIK1, nikA) on chromosome 3 of Aspergillus nidulans FGSC A4 encodes a histidine kinase with osmosensor, peroxide sensor, and histidine phosphotransfer kinase activities, containing HAMP, histidine kinase, and response regulator receiver domains. The gene is associated with the high-osmolarity glycerol (HOG) response, signal transduction during filamentous growth, conidiophore development, germ tube formation, asexual reproduction and sporulation, regulation of biofilm formation, and response to red light. It is linked to upregulation of iron-sulfur cluster assembly, downregulation of phagocytosis and calcium-independent cell-cell adhesion, and activation of the p38 cascade. The protein localizes to the plasma membrane, cell tip, cell division site, and cytoplasm. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to oxidative stress response and altered virulence.