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Wang W, Liu J, Mishra B, Mukhtar MS, McDowell JM. Sparking a sulfur war between plants and pathogens. TRENDS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 27:1253-1265. [PMID: 36028431 DOI: 10.1016/j.tplants.2022.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2021] [Revised: 07/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The biochemical versatility of sulfur (S) lends itself to myriad roles in plant-pathogen interactions. This review evaluates the current understanding of mechanisms by which pathogens acquire S from their plant hosts and highlights new evidence that plants can limit S availability during the immune responses. We discuss the discovery of host disease-susceptibility genes related to S that can be genetically manipulated to create new crop resistance. Finally, we summarize future research challenges and propose a research agenda that leverages systems biology approaches for a holistic understanding of this important element's diverse roles in plant disease resistance and susceptibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wang
- School of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Jinbao Liu
- Department of Biology, University of Alabama-Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Bharat Mishra
- Department of Biology, University of Alabama-Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - M Shahid Mukhtar
- Department of Biology, University of Alabama-Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - John M McDowell
- School of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA.
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2
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Mateus ID, Rojas EC, Savary R, Dupuis C, Masclaux FG, Aletti C, Sanders IR. Coexistence of genetically different Rhizophagus irregularis isolates induces genes involved in a putative fungal mating response. THE ISME JOURNAL 2020; 14:2381-2394. [PMID: 32514118 PMCID: PMC7490403 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-020-0694-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2020] [Revised: 05/16/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are of great ecological importance because of their effects on plant growth. Closely related genotypes of the same AMF species coexist in plant roots. However, almost nothing is known about the molecular interactions occurring during such coexistence. We compared in planta AMF gene transcription in single and coinoculation treatments with two genetically different isolates of Rhizophagus irregularis in symbiosis independently on three genetically different cassava genotypes. Remarkably few genes were specifically upregulated when the two fungi coexisted. Strikingly, almost all of the genes with an identifiable putative function were known to be involved in mating in other fungal species. Several genes were consistent across host plant genotypes but more upregulated genes involved in putative mating were observed in host genotype (COL2215) compared with the two other host genotypes. The AMF genes that we observed to be specifically upregulated during coexistence were either involved in the mating pheromone response, in meiosis, sexual sporulation or were homologs of MAT-locus genes known in other fungal species. We did not observe the upregulation of the expected homeodomain genes contained in a putative AMF MAT-locus, but observed upregulation of HMG-box genes similar to those known to be involved in mating in Mucoromycotina species. Finally, we demonstrated that coexistence between the two fungal genotypes in the coinoculation treatments explained the number of putative mating response genes activated in the different plant host genotypes. This study demonstrates experimentally the activation of genes involved in a putative mating response and represents an important step towards the understanding of coexistence and sexual reproduction in these important plant symbionts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan D Mateus
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Biophore building, 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Edward C Rojas
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Biophore building, 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Romain Savary
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Biophore building, 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Cindy Dupuis
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Biophore building, 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Frédéric G Masclaux
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Biophore building, 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Consolée Aletti
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Biophore building, 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Ian R Sanders
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Biophore building, 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland.
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Huang Q, Mukhtar I, Zhang Y, Wei Z, Han X, Huang R, Yan J, Xie B. Identification and Characterization of Two New S-Adenosylmethionine-Dependent Methyltransferase Encoding Genes Suggested Their Involvement in Stipe Elongation of Flammulina velutipes. MYCOBIOLOGY 2019; 47:441-448. [PMID: 32010465 PMCID: PMC6968334 DOI: 10.1080/12298093.2019.1658332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2019] [Revised: 06/20/2019] [Accepted: 08/14/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Two new SAM-dependent methyltransferase encoding genes (fvsmt1 and fvsmt2) were identified from the genome of Flammulina velutipes. In order to make a comprehensive characterization of both genes, we performed in silico analysis of both genes and used qRT-PCR to reveal their expression patterns during the development of F. velutipes. There are 4 and 6 exons with total length of 693 and 978 bp in fvsmt2 and fvsmt1, respectively. The deduced proteins, i.e., FVSMT1 and FVSMT2 contained 325 and 230 amino acids with molecular weight 36297 and 24894 Da, respectively. Both proteins contained a SAM-dependent catalytic domain with signature motifs (I, p-I, II, and III) defining the SAM fold. SAM-dependent catalytic domain is located either in the middle or at the N-terminal of FVSMT2 and FVSMT1, respectively. Alignment and phylogenic analysis showed that FVSMT1 is a homolog to a protein-arginine omega-N-methyltransferase, while FVSMT2 is of cinnamoyl CoA O-methyltransferase type and predicted subcellular locations of these proteins are mitochondria and cytoplasm, respectively. qRT-PCR showed that fvsmt1 and fvsmt2 expression was regulated in different developmental stages. The maximum expression levels of fvsmt1 and fvsmt2 were observed in stipe elongation, while no difference was found in mycelium and pileus. These results positively demonstrate that both the methyltransferase encoding genes are involved in the stipe elongation of F. velutipes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianhui Huang
- Mycological Research Center, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Irum Mukhtar
- Mycological Research Center, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yelin Zhang
- Mycological Research Center, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Zhongyang Wei
- Mycological Research Center, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Xing Han
- Mycological Research Center, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Rongmei Huang
- Mycological Research Center, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Junjie Yan
- Mycological Research Center, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Baogui Xie
- Mycological Research Center, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
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Fan Q, Creamer R, Li Y. Time-course metabolic profiling in alfalfa leaves under Phoma medicaginis infection. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0206641. [PMID: 30372486 PMCID: PMC6205659 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0206641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2018] [Accepted: 10/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Information on disease process and pathogenicity mechanisms is important for understanding plant disease. Spring black stem and leaf spot caused by the necrotrophic pathogen Phoma medicaginis var. medicaginis Malbr. & Roum causes large losses to alfalfa. However, till now, little is known about alfalfa-P. medicagnis interactions and the pathogenicity mechanisms of the pathogen. Here, alfalfa inoculated with P. medicaginis was subjected to GC-MS based metabolic profiling. The metabolic response in P. medicaginis-inoculated and mock-inoculated alfalfa leaves was assessed at 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 26 and 28 days post inoculation. In total, 101 peaks were detected in the control and inoculated groups, from which 70 metabolites were tentatively identified. Using multivariate analysis, 16 significantly regulated compounds, including amino acids, nitrogen-containing compounds and organic acids, polyols, fatty acids, and sugars were tentatively identified (Variable importance values, VIP>1.0 and p <0.05). Among these metabolites, the levels of malate, 5-oxoproline, palmitic acid and stearic acid were increased significantly in P. medicaginis-infected alfalfa leaves compared to the controls. In contrast, the levels ofγ-aminobutyric acid and 2-pyrrolidinone were significantly decreased in infected leaves compared to the controls. Further metabolic pathway analysis of the 16 significantly regulated compounds demonstrated that glycolysis, the tricarboxylic acid cycle, and β-oxidation of fatty acids were significantly induced in the alfalfa leaves at later stages of P. medicaginis infection. The strong induction of tricarboxylic acid cycle pathways at later infection stages caused by the pathogen may induce senescence in the alfalfa leaves, leading to plant death. However, intermediate metabolites of these metabolic pathways, and inositol phosphate, glutathione, the metabolic pathways of some amino acids accumulated rapidly and strongly at early stages of infection, which may enhance the ability of alfalfa to resist necrotrophic P. medicaginis disease. Understanding metabolic pathways is essential for understanding pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qin Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-ecosystems, Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Ministry of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Engineering Research Center of Grassland Industry, Ministry of Education, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, China
- Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, China
| | - Rebecca Creamer
- New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico, United States of America
| | - Yanzhong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-ecosystems, Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Ministry of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Engineering Research Center of Grassland Industry, Ministry of Education, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, China
- Institute of Grassland Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Hohhot, China
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Schulz E, Wetzel J. Morphological characterization of sex-deficient mutants of the homothallic zygomycete Zygorhynchus moelleri. MYCOSCIENCE 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.myc.2016.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Bischof RH, Horejs J, Metz B, Gamauf C, Kubicek CP, Seiboth B. L-Methionine repressible promoters for tuneable gene expression in Trichoderma reesei. Microb Cell Fact 2015; 14:120. [PMID: 26271614 PMCID: PMC4536894 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-015-0308-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2015] [Accepted: 07/30/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Trichoderma reesei is the main producer of lignocellulolytic enzymes that are required for plant biomass hydrolysis in the biorefinery industry. Although the molecular toolbox for T. reesei is already well developed, repressible promoters for strain engineering and functional genomics studies are still lacking. One such promoter that is widely employed for yeasts is that of the L-methionine repressible MET3 gene, encoding ATP sulphurylase. RESULTS We show that the MET3 system can only be applied for T. reesei when the cellulase inducing carbon source lactose is used but not when wheat straw, a relevant lignocellulosic substrate for enzyme production, is employed. We therefore performed a transcriptomic screen for genes that are L-methionine repressible in a wheat straw culture. This analysis retrieved 50 differentially regulated genes of which 33 were downregulated. Among these, genes encoding transport proteins as well as iron containing DszA like monooxygenases and TauD like dioxygenases were strongly overrepresented. We show that the promoter region of one of these dioxygenases can be used for the strongly repressible expression of the Aspergillus niger sucA encoded extracellular invertase in T. reesei wheat straw cultures. This system is also portable to other carbon sources including D-glucose and glycerol as demonstrated by the repressible expression of the Escherichia coli lacZ encoded ß-galactosidase in T. reesei. CONCLUSION We describe a novel, versatile set of promoters for T. reesei that can be used to drive recombinant gene expression in wheat straw cultures at different expression strengths and in an L-methionine repressible manner. The dioxygenase promoter that we studied in detail is furthermore compatible with different carbon sources and therefore applicable for manipulating protein production as well as functional genomics with T. reesei.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert H Bischof
- Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology (ACIB) GmbH c/o Institute of Chemical Engineering, Technische Universität Wien, Gumpendorferstraße 1a, 1060, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Jennifer Horejs
- Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology (ACIB) GmbH c/o Institute of Chemical Engineering, Technische Universität Wien, Gumpendorferstraße 1a, 1060, Vienna, Austria. .,Research Division Biotechnology and Microbiology, Institute of Chemical Engineering, Technische Universität Wien, Gumpendorferstraße 1a, 1060, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Benjamin Metz
- Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology (ACIB) GmbH c/o Institute of Chemical Engineering, Technische Universität Wien, Gumpendorferstraße 1a, 1060, Vienna, Austria. .,Vogelbusch Biocommodities GmbH, Blechturmgasse 11, 1051, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Christian Gamauf
- Biotech and Renewables Center, Clariant GmbH, 81477, Munich, Germany.
| | - Christian P Kubicek
- Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology (ACIB) GmbH c/o Institute of Chemical Engineering, Technische Universität Wien, Gumpendorferstraße 1a, 1060, Vienna, Austria. .,Research Division Biotechnology and Microbiology, Institute of Chemical Engineering, Technische Universität Wien, Gumpendorferstraße 1a, 1060, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Bernhard Seiboth
- Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology (ACIB) GmbH c/o Institute of Chemical Engineering, Technische Universität Wien, Gumpendorferstraße 1a, 1060, Vienna, Austria. .,Research Division Biotechnology and Microbiology, Institute of Chemical Engineering, Technische Universität Wien, Gumpendorferstraße 1a, 1060, Vienna, Austria.
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Saint-Macary ME, Barbisan C, Gagey MJ, Frelin O, Beffa R, Lebrun MH, Droux M. Methionine biosynthesis is essential for infection in the rice blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0111108. [PMID: 25856162 PMCID: PMC4391826 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0111108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2013] [Accepted: 09/29/2014] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Methionine is a sulfur amino acid standing at the crossroads of several biosynthetic pathways. In fungi, the last step of methionine biosynthesis is catalyzed by a cobalamine-independent methionine synthase (Met6, EC 2.1.1.14). In the present work, we studied the role of Met6 in the infection process of the rice blast fungus, Magnaporthe oryzae. To this end MET6 null mutants were obtained by targeted gene replacement. On minimum medium, MET6 null mutants were auxotrophic for methionine. Even when grown in presence of excess methionine, these mutants displayed developmental defects, such as reduced mycelium pigmentation, aerial hypha formation and sporulation. They also displayed characteristic metabolic signatures such as increased levels of cysteine, cystathionine, homocysteine, S-adenosylmethionine, S-adenosylhomocysteine while methionine and glutathione levels remained unchanged. These metabolic perturbations were associated with the over-expression of MgCBS1 involved in the reversed transsulfuration pathway that metabolizes homocysteine into cysteine and MgSAM1 and MgSAHH1 involved in the methyl cycle. This suggests a physiological adaptation of M. oryzae to metabolic defects induced by the loss of Met6, in particular an increase in homocysteine levels. Pathogenicity assays showed that MET6 null mutants were non-pathogenic on both barley and rice leaves. These mutants were defective in appressorium-mediated penetration and invasive infectious growth. These pathogenicity defects were rescued by addition of exogenous methionine and S-methylmethionine. These results show that M. oryzae cannot assimilate sufficient methionine from plant tissues and must synthesize this amino acid de novo to fulfill its sulfur amino acid requirement during infection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Crystel Barbisan
- Biochemistry Department, Bayer CropScience, F-69263, Lyon, France
| | - Marie Josèphe Gagey
- UMR 5240 MAP, UMR 5240 CNRS-UCB-INSA-BCS, Bayer CropScience, F-69263, Lyon, France
| | - Océane Frelin
- UMR 5240 MAP, UMR 5240 CNRS-UCB-INSA-BCS, Bayer CropScience, F-69263, Lyon, France
| | - Roland Beffa
- Biochemistry Department, Bayer CropScience, F-69263, Lyon, France
| | - Marc Henri Lebrun
- UMR 5240 MAP, UMR 5240 CNRS-UCB-INSA-BCS, Bayer CropScience, F-69263, Lyon, France
- * E-mail:
| | - Michel Droux
- UMR 5240 MAP, UMR 5240 CNRS-UCB-INSA-BCS, Bayer CropScience, F-69263, Lyon, France
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Klosterman SJ, Perlin MH, Garcia-Pedrajas M, Covert SF, Gold SE. Genetics of morphogenesis and pathogenic development of Ustilago maydis. ADVANCES IN GENETICS 2007; 57:1-47. [PMID: 17352901 DOI: 10.1016/s0065-2660(06)57001-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Ustilago maydis has emerged as an important model system for the study of fungi. Like many fungi, U. maydis undergoes remarkable morphological transitions throughout its life cycle. Fusion of compatible, budding, haploid cells leads to the production of a filamentous dikaryon that penetrates and colonizes the plant, culminating in the production of diploid teliospores within fungal-induced plant galls or tumors. These dramatic morphological transitions are controlled by components of various signaling pathways, including the pheromone-responsive MAP kinase and cAMP/PKA (cyclic AMP/protein kinase A) pathways, which coregulate the dimorphic switch and sexual development of U. maydis. These signaling pathways must somehow cooperate with the regulation of the cytoskeletal and cell cycle machinery. In this chapter, we provide an overview of these processes from pheromone perception and mating to gall production and sporulation in planta. Emphasis is placed on the genetic determinants of morphogenesis and pathogenic development of U. maydis and on the fungus-host interaction. Additionally, we review advances in the development of tools to study U. maydis, including the recently available genome sequence. We conclude with a brief assessment of current challenges and future directions for the genetic study of U. maydis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven J Klosterman
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, USA
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García-Pedrajas MD, Gold SE. Kernel knowledge: smut of corn. ADVANCES IN APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY 2005; 56:263-90. [PMID: 15566982 DOI: 10.1016/s0065-2164(04)56008-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Han YK, Lee T, Han KH, Yun SH, Lee YW. Functional analysis of the homoserine O-acetyltransferase gene and its identification as a selectable marker in Gibberella zeae. Curr Genet 2004; 46:205-12. [PMID: 15378266 DOI: 10.1007/s00294-004-0528-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2004] [Revised: 08/26/2004] [Accepted: 08/28/2004] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
We used restriction enzyme-mediated integration (REMI) to identify a methionine auxotrophic mutant of Gibberella zeae, an important cereal pathogen. In addition to its methionine requirement, the G. zeae REMI mutant designated Z43R3912 showed pleiotropic phenotypes, including reduced virulence on host plants and lack of sexual development. Outcrossing of Z43R3912 with a mat1-1 deletion strain confirmed that the mutation of Z43R3912 was tagged with the hygromycin B resistance marker. The vector insertion site in Z43R3912 was identified within the ORF designated GzmetE, encoding a putative homoserine O-acetyltrasferase (HOA). Gene disruption analyses confirmed that GzmetE was responsible for the pleiotropic phenotypes of Z43R3912. Genetic complementation of the G. zeae methionine auxotroph with an intact copy of the Aspergillus nidulans metE and GzmetE genes suggests that the HOA gene can be used as a selectable marker for transformation of G. zeae.
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Affiliation(s)
- You-Kyoung Han
- School of Agricultural Biotechnology and Center for Agricultural Biomaterials, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-742, Korea
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Basse CW, Steinberg G. Ustilago maydis, model system for analysis of the molecular basis of fungal pathogenicity. MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY 2004; 5:83-92. [PMID: 20565585 DOI: 10.1111/j.1364-3703.2004.00210.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED SUMMARY Ustilago maydis, a facultative biotrophic basidiomycete fungus, causes smut disease in maize. A hallmark of this disease is the induction of large plant tumours that are filled with masses of black-pigmented teliospores. During the last 15 years U. maydis has become an important model system to unravel molecular mechanisms of fungal phytopathogenicity. This review highlights recent insights into molecular mechanisms of complex signalling pathways that are involved in the transition from budding to filamentous growth and operate during the pathogenic growth phase. In addition, we describe recent progress in understanding the structural basis of morphogenesis and polar growth in different stages of U. maydis development. Finally, we present an overview of recently identified genes related to pathogenic development and summarize novel molecular and genomic approaches that are powerful tools to explore the genetic base of pathogenicity. TAXONOMY Ustilago maydis (DC) Corda (synonymous with Ustilago zeae Ung.)-Kingdom Eukaryota, Phylum Fungi, Order Basidiomycota, Family Ustilaginomycetes, Genus Ustilago. HOST RANGE Infects aerial parts of corn plants (Zea mays) and its progenitor teosinte (Zea mays ssp. parviglumis). Maize smut is distributed throughout the world. Disease symptoms: U. maydis causes chlorotic lesions in infected areas, the formation of anthocyanin pigments, necrosis, hyperplasia and hypertrophy of infected organs. Infection by U. maydis can inhibit development and lead to stunting of infected plants. A few days after infection plant tumours develop in which massive fungal proliferation and the formation of the black-pigmented, diploid teliospores occurs. Under natural conditions tumours predominantly develop on sexual organs (tassels and ears), stems and nodal shoots. Tumours may vary in size from minute pustules to several centimetres in diameter and contain up to 200 billion spores. Useful web site: http://www-genome.wi.mit.edu/annotation/fungi/ustilago_maydis/
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph W Basse
- Max-Planck-Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Department of Organismic Interactions, Karl-von-Frisch Strasse, 35043 Marburg, Germany
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Bakkeren G, Gold S. The path in fungal plant pathogenicity: many opportunities to outwit the intruders? GENETIC ENGINEERING 2004; 26:175-223. [PMID: 15387298 DOI: 10.1007/978-0-306-48573-2_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/30/2023]
Abstract
The number of genes implicated in the infection and disease processes of phytopathogenic fungi is increasing rapidly. Forward genetic approaches have identified mutated genes that affect pathogenicity, host range, virulence and general fitness. Likewise, candidate gene approaches have been used to identify genes of interest based on homology and recently through 'comparative genomic approaches' through analysis of large EST databases and whole genome sequences. It is becoming clear that many genes of the fungal genome will be involved in the pathogen-host interaction in its broadest sense, affecting pathogenicity and the disease process in planta. By utilizing the information obtained through these studies, plants may be bred or engineered for effective disease resistance. That is, by trying to disable pathogens by hitting them where it counts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guus Bakkeren
- Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada,Pacific Agri-Food Research Centre, Summerland, BC, Canada V0H 1Z0
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