laeA — Neurospora crassa

Summary

NCU04906 (laeA) on Neurospora crassa chromosome 4 encodes a SAM-dependent methyltransferase superfamily protein with methyltransferase activity. The gene is associated with the regulation of secondary metabolism, including the biosynthesis of specific metabolites such as carotenoids, gliotoxin, terrequinone A, aflatoxin, and sterigmatocystin. It is linked to asexual sporulation, spore formation, and cell communication, as well as disruption of host phagocytosis. The product localizes to the nucleus and is connected to DNA-dependent transcription and methylation processes. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to oxidative stress response.