Ste5

Ste5 is a MAPK scaffold protein involved in the mating of yeast. The active complex is formed by interactions with the MAPK Fus3, the MAPK kinase (MAPKK) Ste7, and the MAPKK kinase Ste11. After the induction of mating by an appropriate mating pheromone (either a-factor or α –factor) Ste5 and its associated proteins are recruited to the membrane.

Ste4 helps to recruit Ste5, Ste4 is not required for the attachment of Ste5 to the membrane. Membrane association depends on a pleckstrin homology domain, as well as an amphipathic alpha-helical domain in the amino terminus.

During mating, Fus3 MAPK and Ptc1 phosphatase compete to control 4 phosphorylation sites on the Ste5 scaffold. When all of 4 sites have been dephosphorylated by Ptc1, Fus3 is released and becomes active.

Ste5 plays 2 main roles in the mating signal pathway: