CKA — Magnaporthe oryzae 70-15

Summary

MoCKA (MGG_03696) on chromosome 4 of Magnaporthe oryzae 70-15 encodes a casein kinase II alpha subunit (CK2_alpha) with protein serine/threonine kinase activity (EC 2.7.11.1), dual-specificity protein kinase activity, and cyclin binding. The gene is associated with appressorium formation, cell differentiation, innate immunity, stress-activated MAPK cascades, circadian rhythm, and regulation of mRNA splicing, transcription by RNA polymerases I and III, and bipolar cell polarity. It localises to the casein kinase II complex, nucleolus, chromatin, spindle pole body, division septum, and cell tip. Phenotypic associations include increased thermotolerance, altered cell cycle progression (G1/S and M phase), delayed vegetative growth and autophagy, absent meiosis and hyperosmotic stress resistance, and increased fermentative growth. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to reduced virulence and lethal phenotypes.