al-2 — Neurospora crassa

Summary

NCU00585 (al-2) on Neurospora crassa chromosome 1 encodes a protein with lycopene beta cyclase activity, phytoene synthase activity, and squalene synthase activity, and contains isoprenoid synthase and lycopene cyclase domains. The gene is associated with carotenoid and carotene biosynthesis, pigmentation, and secondary metabolism. It is linked to developmental processes including protoperithecium formation, asexual sporulation, conidia formation, mating, and morphogenesis. The product localizes to the membrane and is associated with carotenoid content. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to carotenoid metabolism.