VPS36 — Fusarium graminearum PH-1

Summary

FgVPS36 (FGRAMPH1_01G17487) on chromosome 3 of Fusarium graminearum PH-1 encodes a Vps36-NZF-N and GLUE domain-containing protein that binds phosphatidylinositol-3-phosphate and ubiquitin. As a component of the ESCRT-II complex localised to late endosome membranes, the Golgi and cytoplasm, it is associated with late endosome-to-vacuole transport, ubiquitin-dependent protein breakdown via the MVB pathway, and actin polymerisation. The gene is linked to numerous phenotypes including abnormal autophagy, decreased replicative lifespan, increased necrotic cell death, altered cell cycle progression, abnormal endocytosis, absent vacuolar transport and protein secretion, increased alkaline pH and ionic stress resistance, and altered mating response and pheromone production. Related genes in other species have been linked to reduced virulence.