MON1 — Magnaporthe oryzae 70-15

Summary

MoMON1 (MGG_05755) on chromosome 1 of Magnaporthe oryzae 70-15 encodes a vacuolar fusion protein MON1, a member of the Mon1 family containing FUZ/MON1/HPS1_longin domains. This gene is associated with vacuole and vesicle fusion, vacuolar protein sorting, intracellular protein transport, and autophagy. It localises to the MVB membrane and fungal-type vacuole membrane. The gene is linked to numerous phenotypes including abnormal vacuolar morphology, delayed endocytosis and protein transport, increased ionic stress and UV resistance, decreased pheromone production and shmoo formation, absent mitophagy, and altered cell cycle progression. It is also associated with zinc sensitivity and decreased utilisation of iron sources. Studies of related genes in other species link the MON1 family to reduced virulence and calcium sensitivity, and to the Mon1-Ccz1 complex.