MPKC — Aspergillus nidulans FGSC A4

Summary

ANIA_04668, symbol MPKC (mpkC) on chromosome 3 of Aspergillus nidulans FGSC A4, encodes a mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase with serine/threonine kinase activity, ATP binding, and metal binding, belonging to the MAP kinase and protein kinase domain families. The gene is associated with stress-activated MAPK cascades, including the p38 cascade and high-osmolarity glycerol (HOG) response, as well as osmotic sensing, programmed cell death, immune response, mitochondrial fission, karyogamy, stem cell differentiation, and reductive iron assimilation. Its product localises to both the cytoplasm and nucleus. Studies of related genes in other species link the MPKC family to oxidative stress response, germination rate, and virulence traits, including reduced virulence in plant pathogens associated with septoria nodorum blotch and southern corn leaf blight.