mkh1 — Magnaporthe oryzae 70-15

Summary

MGG_05499 (mkh1) on chromosome 1 of Magnaporthe oryzae 70-15 encodes a serine/threonine protein kinase with MEKK activity (EC 2.7.11.1). The gene is associated with multiple MAPK cascades, including stress-activated, p38, JNK, cell integrity, and pheromone response pathways. It is linked to fungal-type cell wall organization, cytokinesis, conidia formation, spore formation, morphogenesis, cell growth, and homeostasis. The encoded protein localizes to the Mcs4 RR-MAPKKK complex, division septum, cell tip, cell division site, plasmalemma, cytoplasm, and cytosol. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to altered virulence, including hypervirulence, reduced virulence, and loss of pathogenicity.