CAG1 — Neurospora crassa

Summary

NCU06729, also known as CAG1 or gna-2 on Neurospora crassa chromosome 5, encodes a protein belonging to the Fungi_Gprotein_alpha family, with GTPase activity and guanyl nucleotide, G-protein-coupled receptor, and G-protein beta/gamma-subunit complex binding functions. This gene is associated with regulation of adenylyl cyclase activity, cAMP metabolism, GPCR signaling, carbon catabolite repression, asexual and sexual sporulation, sporocarp development, appressorium formation, and regulation of secondary metabolite biosynthesis including sterigmatocystin and penicillin. It localizes to the heterotrimeric G-protein complex, cytoplasm, cortical dynamic polarity patch, and mitochondrial outer membrane. Phenotypic associations include abnormal mating response and efficiency, altered pheromone production and sensitivity, increased shmoo formation, delayed sporulation, and changes in cell cycle progression, budding rate, and nuclear size. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to pathogenicity and virulence.