ASH2 — Aspergillus nidulans FGSC A4

Summary

AnASH2 (ANIA_09399) on chromosome 8 of Aspergillus nidulans encodes a protein containing a B30.2/SPRY domain and a ConA-like domain superfamily, with transcription cis-regulatory region binding and zinc-binding molecular functions. The gene is associated with epigenetic regulation of gene expression, including chromatin-mediated maintenance of transcription, telomeric silencing, and both methylation and demethylation processes. It is linked to asexual sporulation, spore formation, xylan metabolism, sumoylation and desumoylation, and regulation of secondary metabolite biosynthesis. Localisation evidence places the product in the nucleus, chromatin, and telomeric regions. The gene has been connected to oxidative stress response and numerous cellular phenotypes including altered cell cycle progression, increased aneuploidy and polyploidy, decreased colony size, abnormal budding patterns, and increased meiotic recombination. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to reduced virulence and acid pH resistance.