GLN1 — Magnaporthe oryzae 70-15

Summary

MGG_06888 (MoGLN1) on chromosome 1 of Magnaporthe oryzae 70-15 encodes a glutamine synthetase (EC 6.3.1.2), a glutamine synthase family protein with conserved N-terminal and catalytic domains that catalyses glutamine synthesis from ammonia and glutamate. The gene is associated with the ammonia assimilation cycle, TOR signalling, appressorium formation, and autolysis. Its product localises to the cytoplasm and nuclear periphery. MoGLN1 is linked to numerous phenotypes including decreased invasive growth, abnormal autophagy, absent mitophagy, decreased osmotic stress resistance, increased vegetative growth, abnormal cell cycle progression, and altered nutrient utilisation. The gene is connected to blast disease in rice and barley, and to the interacting protein ISR1. Studies of related glutamine synthetase genes in other fungi link the family to loss of pathogenicity.