SET1 — Fusarium graminearum PH-1

Summary

FGRAMPH1_01G24837 (SET1) on chromosome 4 of Fusarium graminearum PH-1 encodes a Set1-like protein with histone H3K4 trimethylase and methylase activity, and RNA-binding capacity. The gene is associated with numerous chromatin-related processes, including rDNA heterochromatin assembly, telomeric and mating-type cassette silencing, and regulation of meiotic DNA double-strand break formation. It is also linked to ascospore formation, hyphal and filamentous growth, secondary metabolism, sterol homeostasis, and phenotypic switching. Phenotypic associations include altered cell cycle progression (G1/S, G2/M, metaphase-anaphase transitions), increased sporulation and transposable element transposition, abnormal pheromone sensitivity and production, and delayed exit from stationary phase. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to reduced virulence.