CEK2, a Novel MAPK from Candida albicans Complement the Mating Defect of fus3/kss1 Mutant

A novel MAPK(mitogen-activated protein kinase) gene, CEK2(Candida albicans extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2), was isolated by screening the Candida albicans library based on oligonucleotide probe hybridization and degenerated PCR. The CEK2 gene is 1 119 bp in length, and coding for a 373 aa protein. The CEK2 shares 56% homology with CEK1 from Candida albicans, 55 % homology with FUS3 from S. cerevisiae. From the deduced amino acid sequence, the Cek2 protein contains a conserved ATP binding site and a Ser/Thr kinase activity signal and a conserved TEY sequence was located at L(12) region. In vitro kinase activity assay showed Cek2 could phosphorylate MBP(myelin bovine protein) but not histone H1. CEK2 gene could complement the fus3/kss1 mutant and underwent mating signal induction by a tester strain, but CEK1 gene could not complement with the fus3/kss1 mutant. CEK2 is therefore a FUS3 homolog in Candida albicans.