PIK3 — Magnaporthe oryzae 70-15

Summary

MoPIK3 (MGG_03069) on chromosome 7 of Magnaporthe oryzae 70-15 encodes a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) of the Vps34 class, possessing PI3K, PI4K, protein serine/threonine kinase and histone H2A kinase activities. The gene is associated with phosphoinositide-mediated signaling, PI(3)P and PI4P biosynthesis, plasma membrane-to-endosome transport, vacuolar protein processing, microlipophagy, nuclear migration along microtubules, and iron ion membrane transport. It localises to the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase complex class III, endosome membrane, trans-Golgi network, nucleus-vacuole junction, and pre-autophagosomal structure. Phenotypic associations include absent cell cycle progression, delayed endocytosis and vacuolar transport, increased pexophagy, decreased nuclear fusion during mating, abnormal septum formation and chitin deposition, and absent filamentous growth. Related genes in other species link the family to vacuolar protein sorting and autophagy.