BML — Magnaporthe oryzae 70-15

Summary

MGG_00604 (BML, MoBML) on chromosome 5 of Magnaporthe oryzae 70-15 encodes a beta-tubulin protein that is a structural constituent of the cytoskeleton and exhibits GTPase activity, GTP binding, and metal binding. The gene is associated with microtubule cytoskeleton organization, supramolecular fiber organization, mitotic spindle organization, mitotic chromosome segregation, hyphal growth, and both asexual and sexual reproduction. It is linked to numerous cell cycle phenotypes including abnormal colony size, increased aneuploidy and polyploidy, delayed or arrested mitotic and meiotic cell cycles, abnormal nuclear fusion during mating, and absent apoptosis. Localization evidence places the product in the microtubule and cytoplasm. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to reduced virulence and chemical resistance.