EMI2 — Fusarium graminearum PH-1

Summary

FgEMI2 (EMI2, HXK2, GLKA) on chromosome 4 of Fusarium graminearum PH-1 encodes a hexokinase, a member of the hexokinase protein family with N-terminal, C-terminal and ATPase domains. The enzyme exhibits hexokinase, glucokinase, fructokinase, mannokinase, N-acetylglucosamine kinase and glucosamine kinase activities, and binds ATP and D-glucose. FgEMI2 is associated with glycolysis, glucose and fructose metabolism, cell glucose homeostasis, chitin anabolism, fungal-type cell wall biogenesis, sexual reproduction, development of symbiont in host, adhesion of symbiont to host, interaction with host, and systemic acquired resistance. It localises to the cytosol, nucleus and mitochondria. The gene is linked to numerous phenotypes including abnormal pheromone production, increased polyploidy, absent budding, decreased cytokinesis, abnormal meiosis, and altered fermentative and respiratory metabolism. Studies of related genes in other species connect the family to virulence and oxidative stress response.