ASM-1(-CRASSA GENE-RELATED TO TRANSCRIPTIONAL REGULATORS OF FUNGAL DEVELOPMENT(), A NEUROSPORA)

This report describes the identification, cloning, and molecular analy sis of Asm-1(+) (Ascospore maturation 1), the Neurospora crassa homolo gue of the Aspergillus nidulans stuA (stunted A) gene. The Asm-1(+) ge ne is constitutively transcribed and encodes an abundant, nucleus-loca lized 68.5-kD protein. The protein product of Asm-1(+) (ASM-1), contai ns a potential DNA-binding motif present in related proteins from A. n idulans (StuA), Candida albicans (EFGTF-1), and Saccharomyces cerevisi ae (Phd1 and Sok2). This motif is related to the DNA binding motif of the Swi4/Mbp1/Res family of transcription factors that control the cel l cycle. Deletion of Asm-1(+) destroys the ability to make protoperith ecia (female organs), but does not affect male-specific functions. We propose that the APSES domain (ASM-1, Phd1, StuA, EFGTF-1, and Sok2) d efines a group of proteins that constitute a family of related transcr iption factors involved in the control of fungal development.