NIK1 — Neurospora crassa

Summary

NCU02815, also known as NIK1, os-1, or NIKA, encodes a histidine kinase with osmosensor, peroxide sensor, and histidine phosphotransfer kinase activities, classified as EC 2.7.13.3. This membrane-associated protein localizes to the plasma membrane, cell tip, and cell division site, and is a component of the protein histidine kinase complex. In Neurospora crassa, NIK1 is associated with osmolarity sensing via a two-component system, the cellular HOG response, activation of the p38 cascade, and histidyl-aspartyl phosphorelay. It has been linked to conidiophore development, germ tube formation, fruiting body formation, and regulation of conidium formation. The gene is also associated with responses to fungicide, oxidative stress, and AOS, as well as chemotaxis, glycerol anabolism, and filamentous growth. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to virulence traits, including reduced pathogenicity.