pkc — Neurospora crassa

Summary

NCU06544 (pkc) on Neurospora crassa chromosome 4 encodes a protein with novel protein kinase C activity (EC 2.7.11.13), containing C2, HR1, C1-like, and protein kinase domains, and binding ATP, zinc, and lipids. The gene is associated with positive regulation of the cell integrity MAPK cascade, mitotic cytokinesis site selection, and cytoplasmic mRNA processing body assembly. It is linked to circadian rhythm, carotenoid anabolism, regulation of cell shape, actin cytoskeleton organization, and fungal-type cell wall biogenesis. The product localizes to the actomyosin contractile ring, division septum, cell tip, stress granule, and site of polarized growth. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to reduced virulence and oxidative stress response, though these are not established for N. crassa.