FPHA — Aspergillus nidulans FGSC A4

Summary

The Aspergillus nidulans gene fphA (FPHA, ANIA_09008) on chromosome 7 encodes a phytochrome with histidine kinase, red light photoreceptor, osmosensor, and peroxide sensor activities. It is associated with cellular responses to red light, detection of visible light, regulation of sterigmatocystin biosynthesis, activation of penicillin anabolism, sporocarp development in sexual reproduction, germ tube formation, and regulation of conidium formation. The gene is linked to osmolarity sensing via a two-component system, histidyl-aspartyl phosphorelay, and upregulation of iron-sulfur cluster assembly. It localizes to the protein histidine kinase complex, cell tip, cell division site, plasmalemma, membrane, cytoplasm, cytosol, and nucleus. Related genes in other species have been linked to virulence traits, including reduced pathogenicity.