CHS1 — Aspergillus nidulans FGSC A4

Summary

ANIA_07032 (CHS1, AnCHS1) on chromosome 4 encodes a chitin synthase with chitin synthase activity (EC 2.4.1.16), containing chitin synthase N-terminal domains. The gene is associated with cell wall organization, hyphal growth, conidia and ascospore formation, conidiophore development, septum positioning, regulation of chitin anabolism, mitotic actomyosin contractile ring contraction, and morphogenesis. It localizes to the plasma membrane, cell periphery, cellular bud neck, and cross wall. Phenotypic associations include abnormal chitin deposition, absent septum formation, decreased flocculation and adhesion, abnormal bipolar budding and bud neck morphology, altered cell cycle progression (including G2 phase duration, late anaphase arrest, and premature metaphase/telophase), decreased cell death, increased respiratory and fermentative metabolism, and abnormal spore wall formation. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to reduced virulence and vegetative growth defects.