CEK2 — Candida albicans

Summary

CEK2 (CR_05940W_A) on Candida albicans chromosome 8 encodes a mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) with serine/threonine kinase activity (EC 2.7.11.24), classified as ERK1. It contains a MAP kinase conserved signature and a protein kinase domain. The gene is associated with invasive hyphae formation, appressorium formation, phenotypic switching, sexual reproduction, and disruption of host phagocytosis. It is linked to cell wall modification, septin ring assembly, transposable element silencing, and pheromone response. CEK2 is associated with systemic and disseminated candidiasis. Localisation evidence places the product at the mating projection tip, mitotic spindle pole body, cytoplasm, cytosol, and nucleus. Related genes in other species link it to oxidative stress response and loss of pathogenicity.