BYR2 — Candida albicans

Summary

C2_03770C_A (BYR2, also known as STE11) on chromosome 2 of Candida albicans encodes a serine/threonine protein kinase with MEKK activity, containing a Ras-binding domain, SAM domain, and protein kinase domains. The gene is associated with multiple MAPK cascades, including the cell integrity, osmosensory (Sho1-dependent), JNK, and p38 cascades, as well as pheromone response and filamentous growth signal transduction. It is linked to cell wall biogenesis, contractile ring assembly, mating projection assembly, and invasive growth under glucose limitation. Localization evidence places the product at the division septum, cell tip, cell division site, plasma membrane, and cytoplasm. Phenotypic associations include abnormal mating efficiency, decreased osmotic stress resistance, altered cell cycle progression, increased polyploidy rate, and delayed pexophagy. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to virulence and pathogenicity traits.