RHO1 — Fusarium graminearum PH-1

Summary

FgRHO1 (FGRAMPH1_01G15193) on chromosome 2 of Fusarium graminearum PH-1 encodes a small GTPase of the Rho family, possessing GTPase activity, GTP and GDP binding, and signaling adaptor activity. The gene is associated with the positive regulation of 1,3-beta-D-glucan biosynthetic processes, actomyosin contractile ring contraction, formin-nucleated actin cable assembly, and septum digestion after cytokinesis. It is linked to decreased septum formation, decreased budding, absent cell fusion, abnormal shmoo formation, absent pheromone sensitivity, absent alkaline pH resistance, and abnormal bipolar budding pattern. Localization evidence connects the product to the 1,3-beta-glucan synthase complex, hyphal tip, growing cell tip, and cellular bud. Studies of related Rho-family GTPases in other species link the family to loss of pathogenicity, reduced virulence, and oxidative stress response.