The cell cycle gene MoCDC15 regulates hyphal growth, asexual development and plant infection in the rice blast pathogen Magnaporthe oryzae

► Cell cycle is a crucial process required for normal development of eukaryotes. ► MoCDC15 homologous to yeast Cdc15 was characterized in M. oryzae. ► Mocdc15 mutants exhibited the pleiotropic defects in development and pathogenicity. ► This study contributes to understanding evolution and adaptation in fungi.