IRE1 — Fusarium graminearum PH-1

Summary

FgIRE1 (FGRAMPH1_01G18735) on chromosome 3 of Fusarium graminearum PH-1 encodes a protein with serine/threonine kinase, RNA endonuclease, and 3-phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase activities, belonging to the IRE1/2-like family. The gene is associated with the unfolded protein response (UPR), ER stress-induced apoptosis, positive regulation of ER-phagy, the JNK and p38 MAPK cascades, pheromone response, fungal-type cell wall organization, meiotic recombination, and spore germination. It localizes to the ER membrane, division septum, cell tip, and linear elements. Phenotypic associations include increased apoptosis, altered cell cycle progression, abnormal carbon utilization, increased thermotolerance, increased virulence, and abnormal nuclear fusion during mating. Related genes in other species are linked to the IRE1 branch of the UPR and to reduced or unaffected pathogenicity.