CHS1 — Fusarium graminearum PH-1

Summary

FgCHS1 (FGRAMPH1_01G07827) on chromosome 1 of Fusarium graminearum PH-1 encodes a chitin synthase with chitin synthase activity, containing Chitin_synth_N and Chitin_synth domains. The gene is associated with cell wall biogenesis and organization, chitin anabolism, hyphal growth, ascospore wall assembly, cell septum assembly and positioning, septum digestion after cytokinesis, conidia formation, signal transduction, and response to dsRNA. The product localizes to the chitosome, hyphal tip, cross wall, cell periphery, and plasmalemma. FgCHS1 is linked to abnormal chitin deposition, absent septum formation, decreased flocculation and adhesion, abnormal bipolar budding and bud neck morphology, decreased cell fusion, altered cell cycle progression including G2 phase duration and late anaphase arrest, increased pheromone sensitivity, and increased respiratory and fermentative metabolism. Studies of related genes in other species connect the family to polysaccharide content and vegetative growth.