qip — Neurospora crassa

Summary

NCU00076 (qip) on Neurospora crassa chromosome 3 encodes a protein belonging to the Gfd2/YDR514C-like family, which contains an RNase H-like superfamily domain and is annotated with nucleic acid binding molecular function. The gene is associated with siRNA-mediated post-transcriptional gene silencing and meiosis, and its product localises to the nucleolus and nucleus. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to uncharacterised nucleolar protein functions and interactions with RNA interference components. The gene has been connected to homologues in plant pathogens such as Verticillium dahliae and Fusarium oxysporum, suggesting a conserved role in fungal biology.