OS-4 — Candida albicans

Summary

C4_05030C_A (OS-4, also known as SSK2) on Candida albicans chromosome 4 encodes a MAP kinase kinase kinase (MAPKKK) with MEKK activity, belonging to the Ssk2/Ssk22 family and possessing protein serine/threonine kinase activity. The gene is associated with stress-activated MAPK (SAPK) signaling, the JNK and p38 cascades, cell integrity MAPK cascade, and pheromone response pathways. It is linked to fungal-type cell wall organization, filamentous growth, host invasion, contractile ring assembly, and regulation of DNA replication. The protein localizes to the cytoplasm, plasma membrane, cell tip, and division septum. Phenotypic associations include altered osmotic stress resistance, mating efficiency, cell cycle progression, shmoo formation, cell fusion, thermotolerance, and bipolar budding pattern. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to virulence, pathogenicity, and stress responses.