CHS7 — Verticillium dahliae

Summary

VDAG_09595 (VdCHS7, CHS7) on Verticillium dahliae chromosome DS572722 encodes a chitin synthase export chaperone with molecular function in protein folding (GO:0051082). It is associated with chitin anabolism, cell wall organization, protein transport, and localization to the ER membrane. The gene is associated with decreased chitin deposition, abnormal spore wall formation, absent filamentous and pseudohyphal growth, altered mating response, increased biofilm formation, increased viability, and altered stress resistances (cold, acid, alkaline pH, hyperosmotic, freeze-thaw). It is also linked to decreased exponential-phase growth, increased stationary-phase entry, altered mitotic recombination rates, decreased protein transport, increased silencing, decreased apoptosis, and abnormal cell wall morphology. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to reduced virulence and decreased desiccation resistance.