The Neurospora crassa mutant NcΔEgt-1 identifies an ergothioneine biosynthetic gene and demonstrates that ergothioneine enhances conidial survival and protects against peroxide toxicity during conidial germination

► Ergothioneine (EGT), a betaine of 2-thiolhistidine, is concentrated in conidia. ► EGT-monobromobimane derivatives facilitated EGT identification and quantification. ► NcEgt-1 (NCU04343) is the first identified fungal EGT biosynthetic gene. ► EGT helps protect conidia during germination from the toxicity of peroxide. ► NcΔEgt-1 conidia have a 29% reduction in conidial life span compared to the wild type.