orsA — Aspergillus nidulans FGSC A4

Summary

The Aspergillus nidulans gene orsA (ANIA_07909) on chromosome 2 encodes a polyketide synthase (PKS) with ketoacyl-ACP synthase and fatty acid synthase activities, and contains domains including a thioesterase, SAT, and multiple PKS-specific domains. This gene is associated with the biosynthesis of several secondary metabolites, including violaceol I and II, o-orsellinic acid, F-9775A and B, monodictyphenone, emericellamide, melanin, and sterigmatocystin, as well as general secondary metabolism and fatty acid anabolism. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to reduced virulence and unaffected pathogenicity.