wA — Aspergillus nidulans FGSC A4

Summary

The Aspergillus nidulans gene wA (ANIA_08209) on chromosome 2 encodes a polyketide synthase (PKS) with multiple domains including ketoacyl synthase, acyl transferase, thioesterase, and phosphopantetheine attachment sites, and exhibits adenosylmethionine decarboxylase, p-diphenol:oxygen oxidoreductase, ketoacyl-ACP synthase, and fatty acid synthase activities. This gene is associated with DHN-melanin biosynthesis, naphtho-gamma-pyrone anabolism, polyketide and antibiotic anabolism, asexual spore wall assembly, conidia formation, pigmentation, and secondary metabolism. It is also linked to effector-mediated suppression of host pattern-triggered immunity, response to host, phagocytosis, pH reduction, and endosome localization. Related genes in other species, such as Pks2 and albA, are linked to reduced virulence and unaffected pathogenicity.