MKK1 — Fusarium graminearum PH-1

Summary

FgMKK1 (FGRAMPH1_01G24451) on chromosome 4 of Fusarium graminearum PH-1 encodes a dual-specificity protein kinase with MAPKK activity and ATP binding. This gene is associated with the regulation of ascospore formation, positive regulation of appressorium formation, pigmentation, asexual and sexual reproduction, conidia formation, pseudohyphal and invasive growth, and the pheromone response and cell integrity MAPK cascades. It is linked to cell cycle progression, including increased G1 phase rate, decreased G2 phase rate, and abnormal anaphase and telophase progression, as well as absent sporulation efficiency, absent alkaline pH resistance, abnormal mating response, and delayed protein secretion. The protein localizes to the mating projection tip, division septum, cell tip, cytoplasm, and nucleus. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to virulence and pathogenicity.