CHS3 — Magnaporthe oryzae 70-15

Summary

MGG_09962 (CHS3, also known as CHS4) on chromosome 1 of Magnaporthe oryzae 70-15 encodes a chitin synthase with chitin synthase activity (EC 2.4.1.16), containing chitin synthase, cytochrome b5-like heme/steroid-binding, and nucleotide-diphosphosugar transferase domains. The gene is associated with chitin anabolism, asexual sporulation, conidia formation, ascospore wall assembly, hyphal growth, autophagy, host invasion, and response to cellular mechanical stimulus. It localizes to the chitosome, plasmalemma, cross wall, cellular bud neck, and extracellular vesicles. Phenotypic associations include decreased septum formation, abnormal chitin deposition, abnormal spore wall formation, decreased adhesion, increased alkaline pH resistance, and altered cell cycle progression, including G2 phase delays and metaphase-anaphase arrest. Related genes in other species link the family to polysaccharide content and salt tolerance, and to reduced virulence.