ASPA — Schizosaccharomyces pombe 972h-

Summary

SPBC19F8.01C (ASPA, spn7) on chromosome 2 of Schizosaccharomyces pombe encodes a septin family protein with GTPase activity, structural constituent of cytoskeleton function, and binding capacity for phosphatidylinositol phosphates and lipids. The gene is associated with numerous cell cycle processes including mitotic prometaphase, spindle checkpoint, cytokinesis, contractile ring assembly, and septin ring organization at the bud neck. It localizes to septin complexes, filaments, and rings at the bud neck, mating projection, and prospore. Phenotypic associations link ASPA to cell cycle progression through G2/M phase, anaphase arrest, chromosome segregation, telomere length, prion inheritance, thermotolerance, fermentative growth, and nuclear fusion during mating. The gene is also associated with protein content and hyperosmotic stress resistance. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to reduced virulence and candidiasis.