CHS1 — Neurospora crassa

Summary

NCU03611 (CHS1, chs-1) on Neurospora crassa chromosome 5 encodes a chitin synthase with chitin synthase activity (EC 2.4.1.16), containing chitin synthase N-terminal domains. The gene is associated with cell wall biogenesis and organization, chitin and glucan anabolism, hyphal growth, morphogenesis, regeneration, sexual reproduction, ascospore and conidia formation, the MAPK cascade, GPI anchor anabolism, secretion, vesicle transport, mitosis, and the cell cycle. It localizes to the membrane, plasmalemma, cell periphery, hyphal tip, porous cell septum, and cross wall. Phenotypic associations include absent septum formation, abnormal chitin deposition, decreased flocculation and adhesion, abnormal spore wall formation, altered cell cycle progression, increased respiratory and fermentative metabolism, and increased survival in stationary phase. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to reduced virulence and lethal phenotypes.