A MAP kinase gene, BMK1, is required for conidiation and pathogenicity in the rice leaf spot pathogen Bipolaris oryzae.
We isolated and characterized BMK1, a gene encoding a mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), from the rice leaf spot pathogen Bipolaris oryzae. The deduced amino acid sequence showed significant homology with Fus3/Kss1 MAPK homologues from other phytopathogenic fungi. The BMK1 disruptants showed impaired hyphal growth, no conidial production, and loss of virulence against rice leaves, indicating that the BMK1 is essential for conidiation and pathogenicity in B. oryzae.
Faculty of Life and Environmental Science, Shimane University, Matsue, Shimane 690-8504, Japan.
Akihiro
A
Moriwaki
Junichi
J
Kihara
Chie
C
Mori
Sakae
S
Arase
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001203:Ascomycota / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000472:pathogenicity; D001483:Base Sequence; D004271:DNA, Fungal / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D005800:Genes, Fungal; D048054:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 7 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D012275:Oryza; D010802:Phylogeny; D010935:Plant Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000382:microbiology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D014170:Transformation, Genetic
D004271:DNA, Fungal; D048054:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 7