CHS1 — Neurospora crassa

Summary

NCU05239 (CHS1) on Neurospora crassa chromosome 4 encodes a chitin synthase (EC 2.4.1.16) with chitin synthase activity, belonging to the Chitin_synth_N and Chitin_synth domain families. The gene is associated with cell wall biogenesis and organization, chitin anabolism, septum positioning, mitotic actomyosin contractile ring contraction, ascospore and conidia formation, and morphogenesis. It localizes to the plasma membrane, cross wall, cell periphery, and cellular bud neck. Phenotypic associations include abnormal or absent septum formation, decreased flocculation and adhesion, abnormal bipolar budding and bud neck morphology, absent or decreased cell fusion, altered cell cycle progression (including G2 phase duration, late anaphase arrest, and premature metaphase/telophase), abnormal chitin deposition, spore wall formation, and increased respiratory and fermentative metabolism. Related genes in other species are linked to polysaccharide content and reduced virulence.