GTI1 — Magnaporthe oryzae 70-15

Summary

MGG_08850 (MoGTI1, also known as MIT1 or MoMIT1) on chromosome 2 of Magnaporthe oryzae 70-15 encodes a cAMP-independent regulatory protein of the Gti1/Pac2 family with sequence-specific DNA binding and transcription factor activity. The gene is associated with appressorium formation, penetration peg formation, conidia formation, invasive growth, filamentous growth, and adhesion of symbiont to host, as well as regulation of phenotypic switching, biofilm formation, and sexual reproduction. It localises to the nucleus, chromatin, cytosol, and mitotic spindle pole body. Phenotypic associations include abnormal nuclear transport, increased flocculation, delayed cell cycle progression in S phase, increased vegetative growth rate, absent pseudohyphal growth, decreased biofilm formation, and increased innate thermotolerance. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to reduced virulence and unaffected pathogenicity.