GAS1 — Neurospora crassa

Summary

NCU08909 (GAS1, gel-3) on Neurospora crassa chromosome 5 encodes a glucanosyltransferase with 1,3-beta-glucanosyltransferase activity, belonging to the glycoside hydrolase superfamily and X8 domain family. The gene is associated with fungal-type cell wall assembly and biogenesis, cell wall 1,3-beta-glucan metabolism, division septum assembly, cell morphogenesis, and establishment or maintenance of cell polarity. It is associated with host invasion, adhesion of symbiont to host, development of symbiont in host, single-species biofilm formation in or on host, and cell-substrate adhesion. The product localizes to the cell septum edging, primary cell septum, new and old growing cell tips, sites of polarized growth, cellular bud membrane and scar, external side of plasma membrane, vesicles, and lipid rafts. Phenotypic associations include abnormal filamentous growth, altered mating response and efficiency, decreased entry into G0, absent alkaline pH resistance, and increased freeze-thaw resistance. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to reduced virulence and leaf necrosis.