CAG1 — Magnaporthe oryzae 70-15

Summary

MoCAG1 (MGG_04204) on chromosome 6 of Magnaporthe oryzae 70-15 encodes a guanine nucleotide-binding protein alpha-2 subunit, a member of the fungal G-protein alpha family with GTPase activity and guanyl nucleotide binding. This gene is associated with GPCR signaling, appressorium formation, conidiation, mating, sexual sporocarp development, programmed cell death, secretion, homologous recombination, and regulation of secondary metabolite biosynthesis including sterigmatocystin and penicillin anabolism. It also links to negative regulation of the pheromone response MAPK cascade. The protein localizes to the heterotrimeric G-protein complex, cytoplasm, mitochondrial outer membrane, and cortical dynamic polarity patches. Phenotypic associations include absent mating efficiency, abnormal mating response, altered pheromone sensitivity, increased shmoo formation, delayed sporulation, and increased polyploidy rate. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to reduced virulence and unaffected pathogenicity.