OS-4 — Verticillium dahliae

Summary

VDAG_08787 (VdOS-4) on chromosome DS572716 of Verticillium dahliae encodes a serine/threonine-protein kinase with MEKK activity and MAPKKKK activity, belonging to the MAP kinase kinase kinase family. The gene is associated with multiple MAPK cascades, including stress-activated, cell integrity, and pheromone response pathways, as well as JNK and p38 cascades. It is linked to melanin anabolism, conidia and spore formation, fungal-type cell wall organization, calcium signaling, cell division, and contractile ring assembly. The encoded protein localizes to the division septum, spindle pole bodies, cell tip, and plasma membrane. Phenotypic associations include altered osmotic stress resistance, cell cycle progression, mating efficiency, shmoo formation, cell fusion, and thermotolerance. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to virulence and pathogenicity.