laeA — Neurospora crassa

Summary

NCU04907, designated laeA on Neurospora crassa chromosome 4, encodes a SAM-dependent methyltransferase superfamily protein with methyltransferase activity. The gene product localises to the nucleus and is associated with DNA-dependent transcription, methylation, and the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites including carotenoids, terrequinone A, aflatoxin, and sterigmatocystin. LaeA is also linked to asexual sporulation, spore formation, and cell communication. Studies of related genes in other species connect the family to oxidative stress response and S-adenosyl-L-methionine-dependent methyltransferase activity.