STE20 — Saccharomyces cerevisiae S288c

Summary

YHL007C (STE20) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae S288c on chromosome VIII encodes a serine/threonine protein kinase with histone H2BS14 kinase activity and MAPKKKK activity, belonging to the STE20 Ser/Thr kinase family. The gene is associated with the MAPK cascade, pheromone response, bipolar bud site selection, cell polarization, actin cytoskeleton organization, polar cell growth, osmotic response, glucose metabolism, sterol import and homeostasis, nitric oxide signaling, and SG assembly. It localizes to the mating projection tip, incipient cellular bud site, cytoplasm, and nucleus. Phenotypic associations include abnormal bipolar budding, absent shmoo formation, decreased osmotic stress resistance, absent pseudohyphal and invasive growth, decreased replicative lifespan, and altered autophagy and reticulophagy. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to reduced virulence.