ERG4 — Verticillium dahliae

Summary

VDAG_06020, designated VdERG4, encodes a sterol reductase (EC 1.3.1.71) with D24-sterol reductase, D24(24-1)-sterol reductase, D14-sterol reductase, and NADP binding activities, localised to the endoplasmic reticulum membrane. The gene is associated with ergosterol anabolism, filamentous growth of a population of unicellular organisms in response to biotic stimulus, and cellular response to xenobiotic stimulus. VdERG4 is linked to numerous phenotypes including abnormal bipolar budding, decreased endocytosis, abnormal plasma membrane morphology, sterility, decreased cell fusion, absent or decreased pheromone-induced cell cycle arrest, decreased shmoo formation, decreased invasive growth, abnormal cell wall morphology, decreased cold sensitivity, increased cell death, decreased nutrient uptake, and many others. The gene is also linked to hydrogen peroxide content. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to reduced virulence.