BYR2 — Verticillium dahliae

Summary

VDAG_05822 (VdBYR2) in Verticillium dahliae encodes a protein with a Ras-binding domain, a protein kinase domain, and serine/threonine kinase activity, classified as EC 2.7.11.25, and annotated with MEKK activity. The gene is associated with MAPK cascades, including the cell integrity and JNK cascade, and is linked to hyphopodium formation, melanin and sterol biosynthesis, conidia formation, and nitrogen utilization. VdBYR2 localizes to the plasma membrane, division septum, and cell tip, and is associated with cell wall organization, calcium signaling, and contractile ring assembly. The gene is associated with vascular wilt in Gossypium hirsutum. Related genes in other species link the family to pheromone response, mating, cell cycle progression, osmotic stress resistance, and pseudohyphal growth, though these functions are not established for VdBYR2 itself.