laeA — Aspergillus nidulans FGSC A4

Summary

ANIA_05874 (laeA) on chromosome 1 of Aspergillus nidulans FGSC A4 encodes a methyltransferase, belonging to the SAM-dependent methyltransferase superfamily, and is localised to the nucleus. This gene is associated with the biosynthesis of numerous secondary metabolites, including diorcinol, PR-toxin, penicillin G, gliotoxin, terrequinone A, and carotenoids. It is also linked to developmental processes such as sexual and asexual sporulation, fruiting body formation, perithecium development, pigmentation, and stem cell differentiation. Additionally, laeA is connected to methionine metabolism, germination rate, and oxidative stress response. Studies of related genes in other species link the methyltransferase family to similar secondary metabolism and developmental roles, though these associations are not yet established for A. nidulans.