BCK1 — Schizosaccharomyces pombe 972h-

Summary

SPAC1F3.02C (BCK1, mkh1) on chromosome 1 of Schizosaccharomyces pombe encodes a MAP kinase kinase kinase (MEKK) with protein serine/threonine kinase activity (EC 2.7.11.25). The gene is associated with multiple MAPK cascades, including the cell integrity, JNK, p38, and pheromone response pathways, as well as fungal-type cell wall organization, cytokinesis, stress response, morphogenesis, mating, and spore formation. Its product localizes to the division septum, cell tip, cell division site, plasma membrane, cytoplasm, and cytosol. Phenotypic associations include altered flocculation, sporulation, cell fusion, budding, virulence, cell cycle progression, and alkaline pH resistance. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to virulence and pathogenicity traits, including hypervirulence and reduced virulence.