ERG5 — Neurospora crassa

Summary

NCU05278 (ERG5) on Neurospora crassa chromosome 4 encodes a sterol 22-desaturase, a cytochrome P450 family protein with C-22 sterol desaturase (NADPH) activity (EC 1.14.19.41). The gene is associated with ergosterol anabolism, sterol metabolism, sterol anabolism, and terpenoid anabolism, as well as hormone anabolism, antibiotic anabolism, and small molecule biosynthesis. It is linked to filamentous growth of a population of unicellular organisms in response to starvation and biotic stimulus, cellular response to starvation, filamentous growth, and hypersensitivity. The encoded protein localises to the ER membrane and plasma membrane. Associations with numerous phenotypes have been observed, including decreased endocytosis, absent micronucleophagy, abnormal plasma membrane morphology, decreased meiosis, increased cell death, and arrested vegetative growth. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to virulence and pathogenicity.