EMG1 — Verticillium dahliae

Summary

VDAG_09422 (VdEMG1, also known as VdNEP1 or MRA1) on chromosome DS572720 of Verticillium dahliae encodes a nucleolar essential protein with rRNA (pseudouridine) methyltransferase activity and rRNA binding. The gene is associated with rRNA base methylation, ribosome biogenesis, and endonucleolytic cleavage steps in rRNA transcript processing. It is linked to asexual reproduction, pheromone response, and cell death. The protein localises to the nucleolus, 90S preribosome, SSU processome, nucleus, cytoplasm, and nuclear microtubules. VdEMG1 is associated with abnormal vegetative growth and sporulation, increased desiccation and hyperosmotic stress resistance, altered cell cycle progression in G1 phase, increased chitin deposition, and increased telomere length. Studies of related genes in other species link the EMG1 family to ribosome assembly and cell cycle regulation.