MKK1 — Magnaporthe oryzae 70-15

Summary

MGG_06482 (MoMKK1) on chromosome 4 of Magnaporthe oryzae 70-15 encodes a dual-specificity protein kinase with MAPKK activity, belonging to the Ser/Thr kinase family. The gene is associated with the positive regulation of appressorium formation, the pheromone response MAPK cascade, the cell integrity MAPK cascade, and signal transduction involved in filamentous growth. It is linked to regulation of ascospore formation, asexual reproduction, autophagy, programmed cell death, and cell wall organization. Localization evidence connects the product to the mating projection tip, division septum, and nucleus. Phenotypic associations include absent sporulation efficiency, abnormal mating response, and altered cell cycle progression through G2/M phase transitions. Related genes in other species have been linked to loss of pathogenicity and oxidative stress response.