BYR2 — Magnaporthe oryzae 70-15

Summary

MGG_14847 (MoBYR2) on chromosome 4 of Magnaporthe oryzae 70-15 encodes a protein with MEKK activity (EC 2.7.11.24), possessing a Ras-binding domain, SAM domain, and serine/threonine kinase domains. The gene is associated with multiple MAPK cascades, including the cell integrity MAPK cascade, JNK cascade, and p38 cascade. It is linked to appressorium formation, conidia formation, invasive growth, spore formation, morphogenesis, and fungal-type cell wall organization. The encoded protein localizes to the division septum, cell tip, cell division site, plasmalemma, cytoplasm, and cytosol. Associations with rice blast disease and canker in Populus have been noted. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to the pheromone response MAPK cascade and various phenotypes including abnormal mating efficiency, cell cycle progression, osmotic stress resistance, and budding patterns.