Cloning and Characterization of the Gene omk1 in Mycopara-site Fungus Olpitrichum tenellum, Homologous to FUS3/KSS1-type MAPK in Yeast

Abstract:

As an important signaling molecule, protein kinases participate in signal transduction by phosphorylating target substrates, and play important roles in the processes of perceiving environmental stimuli, cell differentiation and fungal growth. By using 3′RACE and TAIL-PCR, a protein kinase gene named omk1 (GenBank accession number: EU479712) was cloned and characterized from mycoparasite fungus Ol-pitrichum tenellum. The omk1 gene encodes 355 aa and contains two introns (57 bp and 73 bp, respectively). Phylogenetic analysis indicated that OMK1 is most similar to other fungal FUS3/KSS1-type MAP kinase and has signature sequences characteristic of serine-threonine kinases. RT-PCR analysis showed that the gene omk1 transcribed in the phases of both spore germination and hyphal growth.

Key words:Olpitrichum tenellum, MAP kinase, Gene cloning