DNL4 — Neurospora crassa

Summary

NCU06264 (DNL4, also known as mus-53 or LIG4) on Neurospora crassa chromosome 3 encodes an ATP-dependent DNA ligase IV, a member of the adenylation DNA ligase IV family with BRCT and OB-fold domains. The enzyme has DNA ligase (ATP) activity (EC 6.5.1.1) and binds DNA, ATP and metals. It is associated with canonical nonhomologous end joining, nucleotide-excision repair, homologous recombination, telomere maintenance, DNA replication and recombination. The protein localises to the DNA ligase IV complex, nucleolus, chromatin and nucleus. DNL4 is associated with abnormal mating response, decreased radiation resistance, delayed sporulation, absent mating type switching, decreased mitotic recombination, increased mutation frequency, abnormal telomere length, decreased colony size, and altered cell cycle progression including G2 phase delay and metaphase-anaphase arrest. Studies of related genes in other species connect the family to sporulation efficiency and vegetative growth.