PAKA — Magnaporthe oryzae 70-15

Summary

MGG_12821 (PAKA, MST20) encodes a serine/threonine protein kinase with MAPKKKK activity, containing a CRIB domain and a PAK_BD domain. This gene is associated with appressorium formation, filamentous growth, and regulation of the MAPK cascade in Magnaporthe oryzae. It is linked to cellular responses to stress and starvation, pheromone response, parasexual conjugation, and fungal-type cell wall organization. The encoded protein localizes to both the cytoplasm and nucleus. PAKA has been connected to blast disease in rice (Oryza sativa). Studies of related genes in other species link the family to reduced virulence and associations with invasive aspergillosis and smut in corn.