Polyketide synthase; part of the Pks1 gene cluster that mediates the biosynthesis of an anthraquinone derivative pigment that contributes to conidial pigmentation that provides protection from UV radiation, heat and cold stress (PubMed:29958281). The polyketide synthase Pks1 produces 1-acetyl-2,4,6,8-tetrahydroxy-9,10-anthraquinone though condensation of acetyl-CoA with malonyl-CoA (By similarity). The dehydratase EthD and the laccase Mlac1 further convert the anthraquinone derivative into the final conidial pigment (By similarity). Highly expressed during conidiation (PubMed:29958281). A conserved conidiation regulatory pathway containing BrlA, AbaA and WetA regulates expression. During conidiation BlrA up-regulates AbaA, which in turn controls WetA. Moreover, the Hog1 MAPK regulates fungal conidiation by controlling the conidiation regulatory pathway, and that all three pigmentation genes Pks1, EthD and Mlac1 exercise feedback regulation of conidiation (By similarity). Expression is also up-regulated in appressoria-forming germlings on locust cuticle (PubMed:29958281). Multidomain protein; including a starter unit:ACP transacylase (SAT) that selects the starter unit; a ketosynthase (KS) that catalyzes repeated decarboxylative condensation to elongate the polyketide backbone; a malonyl-CoA:ACP transacylase (MAT) that selects and transfers the extender unit malonyl-CoA; a product template (PT) domain that controls the immediate cyclization regioselectivity of the reactive polyketide backbone; and an acyl-carrier protein (ACP) that serves as the tether of the growing and completed polyketide via its phosphopantetheinyl arm. The release of the polyketide chain from the non-reducing polyketide synthase is mediated by the thioesterase (TE) domain localized at the C-ter of the protein. Results in red conidia.