SSKA — Aspergillus fumigatus

Summary

AFU5G08390 (SSKA, also known as ssk1) on chromosome 5 of Aspergillus fumigatus encodes a protein with a CheY-like superfamily domain and a signal transduction response regulator receiver domain. The gene product possesses phosphorelay sensor kinase activity, protein kinase activator activity, phosphorelay response regulator activity, and ATP binding. SSKA is associated with regulation of filamentous growth, cellular response to neutral pH, osmotic response, histidyl-aspartyl phosphorelay, activation of p38 cascade, regulation of cellular response to oxidative stress, immune evasion, host invasion, and negative regulation of mitotic entry. It localises to the cytoplasm, cytosol, cell tip, cell division site, and the Mcs4 RR-MAPKKK complex. The gene is also linked to germination rate and to invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in a mouse model. Studies of related genes in other species connect the family to loss of pathogenicity and reduced virulence.