CEK1 — Aspergillus fumigatus

Summary

AFU6G12820 (CEK1, also known as mpkB) on chromosome 6 of Aspergillus fumigatus encodes a mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase with serine/threonine kinase activity (EC 2.7.11.24) and ATP binding capability, belonging to the ERK1 subfamily. This gene is associated with the MAPK cascade, intracellular signal transduction, and multiple developmental and pathogenic processes including invasive hyphae formation, asexual sporulation, conidia formation, cell wall modification, melanin anabolism, secondary metabolism, and disruption of host phagocytosis. It is also linked to pheromone response, parasexual conjugation with cellular fusion, positive regulation of appressorium formation, and septin ring assembly. The encoded protein localizes to both the cytoplasm and nucleus. Related genes in other species are associated with cell cycle progression, mating efficiency, biofilm formation, and pseudohyphal growth regulation.