WA — Neurospora crassa

Summary

NCU03584 (NcWA, also known as NcAUR1 or per-1) on Neurospora crassa chromosome 5 encodes a polyketide synthase (PKS) with multiple catalytic domains including ketoacyl-ACP synthase, fatty acid synthase, and redox activities, as well as adenosylmethionine decarboxylase and p-diphenol:oxygen oxidoreductase activities. This gene is associated with DHN-melanin biosynthesis, naphtho-gamma-pyrone anabolism, spermidine anabolism, and secondary metabolism. It is linked to protoperithecium formation, asexual spore wall assembly, conidia formation, spore formation, and developmental pigmentation. NcWA is associated with effector-mediated suppression of host pattern-triggered immunity and response to host, and localizes to the endosome. Related genes in other species are linked to reduced virulence and septoria tritici blotch, though these associations are not established for N. crassa.