PAKA — Fusarium graminearum PH-1

Summary

FgPAKA (FGRAMPH1_01G26955) on chromosome 4 of Fusarium graminearum PH-1 encodes a PAK3-like serine/threonine protein kinase with histone H2BS14 kinase activity, MAPKKKK activity, and ATP binding. It contains PAK_BD, CRIB, and protein kinase domains. This gene is associated with negative regulation of sterol import, osmosensory signaling via the Sho1 osmosensor, regulation of the MAPK cascade, upregulation of apoptosis, budding cell apical bud growth, vacuole inheritance, bipolar bud site selection, chlamydospore formation, and cellular response to hydrogen peroxide. It localizes to the incipient cellular bud site, mating projection tip, cytoplasm, and nucleus. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to reduced virulence and pathogenicity on hosts including wheat, rice, and corn.