CHS1 — Magnaporthe oryzae 70-15

Summary

MoCHS1 (MGG_01802) on chromosome 2 of Magnaporthe oryzae 70-15 encodes a chitin synthase with chitin synthase activity (EC 2.4.1.16), placing it in the chitin synthase functional and N-terminal domain families. The gene is associated with chitin anabolism, cell wall organization, cytokinesis, hyphal growth, conidia formation, appressorium formation, host invasion, invasive growth, mitotic exit, nuclear division, and the cell cycle. Its product localizes to the membrane, plasmalemma, hyphal tip, porous cell septum, cross wall, and cell periphery. Phenotypic associations include abnormal chitin deposition, septum formation, bipolar budding, cell cycle progression (including G2 phase duration, late anaphase arrest, and M phase delay), decreased adhesion and flocculation, absent cell fusion, and increased survival rate in stationary phase. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to reduced virulence and lethal pathogen phenotypes.