ERG6 — Neurospora crassa

Summary

NCU03006 (ERG6, erg-4) in Neurospora crassa encodes a sterol 24-C-methyltransferase, a member of the Erg6/SMT methyltransferase family. The gene is associated with sterol, ergosterol, ceramide and hormone anabolism, as well as sterol homeostasis and methylation. The encoded protein localises to the endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria and adiposomes. ERG6 is associated with numerous cellular processes including cell cycle progression, endocytosis, vacuolar transport, cell fusion, pheromone sensitivity, filamentous growth, hyperosmotic stress resistance, and colony colour. It is also linked to mitochondrial genome maintenance, mitochondrial transport, polyploidy and aneuploidy. Related genes in other species link the family to reduced virulence and traits such as cell membrane stability and oxidative stress response.