NIK1 — Magnaporthe oryzae 70-15

Summary

MGG_11174 (MoNIK1) on chromosome 2 of Magnaporthe oryzae 70-15 encodes a hybrid histidine kinase with osmosensor, peroxide sensor, and histidine phosphotransfer kinase activities, containing HAMP, histidine kinase, and response regulator receiver domains. The gene is associated with osmolarity sensing via a two-component system, the cellular HOG response, and responses to fungicide, farnesol, and reactive oxygen species. It is linked to regulation of conidium formation, ascospore formation, filamentous growth, single-species biofilm formation, fungal-type cell wall biogenesis, and downregulation of phagocytosis and calcium-independent cell-cell adhesion. The product localizes to the plasma membrane, cytoplasm, cell tip, and cell division site. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to oxidative stress response and altered virulence.