RAC1 — Magnaporthe oryzae 70-15

Summary

MGG_00466 (MoRAC1) on chromosome 5 of Magnaporthe oryzae 70-15 encodes a small GTPase of the Rho family, also known as cell division control protein 42. The product exhibits GTPase activity, GDP and GTP binding, protein kinase binding, and signaling adaptor activity. MoRAC1 is associated with the regulation of cell morphogenesis, bipolar cell growth, cell wall modification, exocytosis, vesicle-mediated transport, and endocytic recycling. It localizes to the hyphal tip polarisome, Spitzenkörper, septin ring, and 1,3-beta-glucan synthase complex. The gene is linked to rice blast disease and has been connected to abnormal filamentous growth, decreased cell death, delayed sporulation, altered cell cycle progression, and abnormal plasma membrane morphology. Related genes in other species are linked to loss of pathogenicity and responses to oxidative stress and turgor pressure.