END3 — Fusarium graminearum PH-1

Summary

FgEND3 on chromosome 4 of Fusarium graminearum PH-1 encodes a protein with EF-hand and EH domains that binds calcium, actin, and acts as a bridging protein. The gene is associated with endocytosis, endosomal transport, actin filament organization and polymerization, the DNA damage response, and mycotoxin biosynthesis and response. It localizes to the endosome membrane, actin patch, plasma membrane, and cytoplasm. Phenotypic associations include abnormal filamentous growth, delayed cytokinesis, decreased endocytosis rate, abnormal bipolar and axial budding patterns, altered cell cycle progression, increased pexophagy, decreased pheromone sensitivity and radiation resistance, abnormal chitin deposition and spore wall formation, and altered alkaline pH resistance. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to reduced virulence.