STE7 — Schizosaccharomyces pombe 972h-

Summary

SPAC1D4.13 (STE7, byr1) on chromosome 1 of Schizosaccharomyces pombe 972h- encodes a mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MAPKK) with dual-specificity protein kinase activity (EC 2.7.12.2). The product belongs to the Byr1-like catalytic domain family and possesses MAPKK activity. STE7 is associated with the pheromone response MAPK cascade, the cell integrity MAPK cascade, and the p38 cascade. It is linked to regulation of ascospore formation, positive regulation of appressorium formation, parasexual conjugation with cellular fusion, signal transduction involved in filamentous growth, and upregulation of cell wall organisation or biogenesis and calcium-mediated signaling. The protein localises to the cytoplasm, nucleus, cell tip, division septum, mating projection tip, and the Mcs4 RR-MAPKKK complex. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to loss of pathogenicity and reduced virulence.