laeA — Neurospora crassa

Summary

NCU10101 (laeA) on Neurospora crassa chromosome 4 encodes a methyltransferase, belonging to the Methyltransf_25 domain family and the SAM-dependent methyltransferase superfamily. The gene is associated with the regulation of secondary metabolism, including the biosynthesis of carotenoids, sterigmatocystin, aflatoxin, gliotoxin, and penicillin. It is linked to asexual sporulation, ascospore formation, and positive regulation of these processes, as well as to cell communication and interaction with the host, including disruption of host phagocytosis. The encoded protein localises to the nucleus. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to germination rate and oxidative stress response.