ATG8 — Magnaporthe oryzae 70-15

Summary

MGG_01062 (ATG8) in Magnaporthe oryzae 70-15 encodes a protein belonging to the Atg8-like family, a ubiquitin-like domain-containing protein associated with phosphatidylethanolamine binding. This gene is associated with autophagic cell death, negative regulation of autophagy, and TORC2 signaling. It is also linked to appressorium-mediated host invasion, penetration peg formation, appressorium maturation, and asexual sporulation. Associations include glutamate homeostasis, ferroptosis, glycogenolysis, sterol homeostasis, and RNA methylation. The encoded protein localizes to the cytoplasm, fungal-type vacuole and its membrane, cytoplasmic vesicles, the Cvt vesicle membrane, the PAS, and adiposomes. Traits linked to ATG8 include turgor pressure, germination rate, and oxidative stress response. Studies of related genes in other species connect the family to biomass yield and reduced virulence.