MAC1 — Magnaporthe oryzae 70-15

Summary

MoMAC1 (MGG_08875) on chromosome 2 of Magnaporthe oryzae 70-15 encodes a copper-fist DNA-binding domain transcription factor that binds copper and zinc, and has DNA-binding transcription factor activity, RNA polymerase II-specific. The gene is associated with appressorium formation, host invasion, invasive growth, melanin anabolism, sexual sporulation, mating, cell morphogenesis, signal transduction, cellular copper ion homeostasis, and cellular iron ion homeostasis. Its product localises to the nucleus and is associated with positive regulation of transcription by RNA polymerase II. Studies of related genes in other species connect the family to reduced virulence, though this has not been established for MoMAC1 itself.