HAPX — Fusarium graminearum PH-1

Summary

FgHAPX (FGRAMPH1_01G19101) on chromosome 3 of Fusarium graminearum PH-1 encodes a bZIP transcription factor containing a Hap4_TF_heteromerisation domain and an AP-1-like domain. The protein has DNA-binding transcription activator activity for RNA polymerase II and localises to the nucleus, cytoplasm, and transcription regulator complexes. In this fungus, FgHAPX is associated with asexual and sexual sporulation, cellular responses to iron ion starvation and oxidative stress, nitric oxide storage, deubiquitination, and homeostasis. It is linked to the biosynthesis of ferricrocin, N',N'',N'''-triacetylfusarinine C, shamixanthone, and emericellin, as well as to the inhibition of asperthecin and sterigmatocystin formation. Studies of related genes in other species connect the family to iron concentration, oxidative stress response, and virulence traits including reduced virulence and associations with fusarium head blight.