AGO1 — Fusarium graminearum PH-1

Summary

FgAGO1 (FGRAMPH1_01G10737) on chromosome 2 of Fusarium graminearum PH-1 encodes a protein with Piwi and PAZ domains and endoribonuclease activity that cleaves siRNA-paired mRNA, producing 5′-phosphomonoesters, and binds siRNA and ssRNA. The gene is associated with RNA interference and gene silencing, including RNAi-mediated chromatin silencing, heterochromatin assembly at centromeres, and telomeric silencing. It is linked to antiviral and defense responses, sexual reproduction, ascospore and conidia formation, hyphal growth, pigmentation, and maintenance of the G0 phase. The encoded protein localizes to the nucleus, cytoplasm, and heterochromatin, and is a component of the RITS and ARC complexes. Related genes in other species are linked to RNAi and gene silencing processes.