laeA — Neurospora crassa

Summary

NCU00401 (laeA) on Neurospora crassa chromosome 3 encodes an S-adenosyl-L-methionine-dependent methyltransferase, a member of the SAM-dependent methyltransferase superfamily, with methyltransferase activity. The gene is associated with the regulation of secondary metabolism, including the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites such as carotenoids, aflatoxin, and gliotoxin. It is linked to asexual sporulation, spore formation, and DNA-dependent transcription, and its product localizes to the nucleus. Additionally, laeA is associated with cell communication and disruption of host phagocytosis. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to similar methyltransferase functions, though these associations are not yet established in N. crassa.