AUR1 — Aspergillus nidulans FGSC A4

Summary

ANIA_07825 (AUR1, AnAUR1) on chromosome 4 of Aspergillus nidulans FGSC A4 encodes a large multidomain polyketide synthase with norsolorinic acid synthase activity (EC 2.3.1.221) and additional annotated functions including polyketide synthase, fatty acid synthase, ketoacyl-ACP synthase, and p-diphenol:oxygen oxidoreductase activities. The protein contains domains characteristic of fungal polyketide synthases, including SAT, PKS_DH, ketoacyl synthase, acyl transferase, and phosphopantetheine-binding regions. AUR1 is associated with the biosynthesis of multiple secondary metabolites, including DHN-melanin, aflatoxin, sterigmatocystin, emericellamide, monodictyphenone, o-orsellinic acid, (M)-viriditoxin, and spermidine. It is linked to asexual spore wall assembly, pigmentation, effector-mediated suppression of host pattern-triggered immunity, and response to host. The gene product localises to cytoplasmic vesicles and endosomes. Related genes in other species are linked to reduced virulence and unaffected pathogenicity.