BEM46 — Neurospora crassa

Summary

NCU03276, designated BEM46 in Neurospora crassa on chromosome 1, encodes a member of the alpha/beta hydrolase superfamily (Hydrolase_4, AB_hydrolase) with palmitoyl-protein hydrolase activity. The gene is associated with spore germination, hyphal growth, signal transduction, and indole anabolism. BEM46 localises to the endoplasmic reticulum and plasma membrane. Phenotypic associations link BEM46 to altered colony colour, increased cell death, increased mitophagy, and changes in carbon and nitrogen source utilisation. The gene is also associated with decreased UV resistance, increased oxidative stress resistance, decreased desiccation resistance, increased heat sensitivity, reduced chronological lifespan, and altered respiratory metabolism. Additional associations include decreased budding index, increased cell size, reduced exponential-phase growth rate, increased invasive growth, and abnormal chromosome/plasmid maintenance. Studies of related BEM46 family proteins in other species link the family to filamentous growth, biofilm formation, and starvation resistance.