KDX1 — Magnaporthe oryzae 70-15

Summary

MoKDX1, also known as MKC1, SLT2, or PMK1, encodes a mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) with serine/threonine kinase activity, belonging to the ERK1 subfamily and containing a conserved MAP kinase active site. In the rice blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae, MoKDX1 is associated with the regulation of appressorium formation and maturation, penetration peg formation, autophagic cell death, ferroptosis, melanin biosynthesis, and the SAPK signaling pathway. The gene is linked to traits including turgor pressure, germination rate, phosphate content, and oxidative stress response. Localization evidence connects the protein to the mitotic spindle pole body, cell division site, cytoplasm, cytosol, and nucleus. Related genes in other species link it to the cell integrity MAPK cascade and to phenotypes such as altered virulence and stress resistance.