niaD — Aspergillus nidulans FGSC A4

Summary

The Aspergillus nidulans gene niaD on chromosome 5 encodes a protein with nitrate reductase (NADPH) activity (EC 1.7.1.3), sulfite oxidase activity, cytochrome-b5 reductase activity, NADH dehydrogenase activity, transferase activity, and redox activity, binding molybdenum cofactor, molybdenum ion, FAD, and heme. It is associated with nitrate import and assimilation, nitrogen utilization, anaerobic respiration, response to hypoxia, nitric oxide anabolism, and regulation of arginine breakdown. The gene is linked to molybdenum content and nitrate uptake traits. Its product localizes to the mitochondrial outer membrane, endoplasmic reticulum, and plasmalemma. Studies of related genes in other species connect the nitrate reductase family to nitrogen metabolism pathways.