CHS1 — Verticillium dahliae

Summary

VDAG_02580, designated VdCHS1 (also known as CHS1), encodes a chitin synthase with chitin synthase activity (EC 2.4.1.16), containing Chitin_synth_N and Chitin_synth domains. In Verticillium dahliae, this gene is associated with cell septum assembly, septum positioning, ascospore wall assembly, septum digestion after cytokinesis, chitin anabolism, conidia formation, cell wall organization, fungal-type cell wall organization, and hyphal growth. The product localizes to the chitosome, hyphal tip, cross wall, cell periphery, and plasmalemma. VdCHS1 is linked to vascular wilt disease in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) and Arabidopsis thaliana. Phenotypic associations include abnormal septum formation, chitin deposition, spore wall formation, bipolar budding, cell fusion, shmoo formation, and decreased flocculation and adhesion, as well as altered cell cycle progression, increased respiratory and fermentative metabolism, and increased survival in stationary phase. Related genes in other species are linked to polysaccharide content and vegetative growth.