A5060213938- Fungal and yeast genetics research
- Plant-Microbe Interactions and Immunity
- Plant Reproductive Biology
- Plant Disease Resistance and Genetics
- Bacteriophages and microbial interactions
- Bacterial Genetics and Biotechnology
- RNA and protein synthesis mechanisms
- Plant Pathogens and Fungal Diseases
- Fungal Biology and Applications
- Yeasts and Rust Fungi Studies
- Mycorrhizal Fungi and Plant Interactions
- DNA and Nucleic Acid Chemistry
- Biofuel production and bioconversion
- Plant Virus Research Studies
- Plant tissue culture and regeneration
- Plant pathogens and resistance mechanisms
- Wheat and Barley Genetics and Pathology
- Polysaccharides and Plant Cell Walls
- Photosynthetic Processes and Mechanisms
- Chromosomal and Genetic Variations
- Legume Nitrogen Fixing Symbiosis
- Enzyme Structure and Function
- RNA modifications and cancer
- Plant and Fungal Interactions Research
- Insect symbiosis and bacterial influences
Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology
2015-2025
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
1995-2021
Max Planck Society
2006-2021
Philipps University of Marburg
2001-2021
North Eastern University
2021
University of Cologne
2021
Michigan State University
2021
Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg
2009
Genetikum
1995-2005
Universidad Autónoma de Madrid
2004
Ustilago maydis is an important fungal pathogen of maize, causing corn smut. It well adapted to its host and proliferates in living plant tissue without inducing a defence response. The genome sequence U. has now been determined, the first for biotrophic parasite. Several gene clusters that encode secreted proteins unknown function were identified: genome-wide expression analysis shows clustered genes are upregulated during disease. Mutations these frequently affect virulence, ranging from...
U. maydis is a fungal pathogen of corn with two forms: one yeast-like and nonpathogenic; the other filamentous pathogenic. The b locus, 25 different alleles, regulates this dimorphism: any combination alleles triggers pathogenic development, whereas presence identical results in form. We have cloned four (b1, b2, b3, b4) show that locus contains single open reading frame (ORF) 410 amino acids variable N-terminal region highly conserved C-terminal (60% 93% identity, respectively). Mutational...
The a mating type locus of the phytopathogenic fungus U. maydis controls fusion haploid cells and filamentous growth dikaryotic mycelium. exists in two alleles, termed a1 a2, which are defined by nonhomologous DNA regions comprising 4.5 kb for 8 flanked identical sequences. Based on functional assays, mutants, sequencing, we demonstrate that each allele is determined set genes. One encodes precursor lipopeptide factor, other specifies receptor pheromone secreted opposite type. Thus, employs...
The basidiomycete Ustilago maydis causes smut disease in maize. Colonization of the host plant is initiated by direct penetration cuticle and cell wall maize epidermis cells. invading hyphae are surrounded plasma membrane proliferate within tissue. We identified a novel secreted protein, termed Pep1, that essential for penetration. Disruption mutants pep1 not affected saprophytic growth develop normal infection structures. However, Δpep1 arrest during epidermal elicit strong defense...
Biotrophic pathogens, such as the related maize pathogenic fungi Ustilago maydis and Sporisorium reilianum, establish an intimate relationship with their hosts by secreting protein effectors. Because secreted effectors interacting plant proteins should rapidly evolve, we identified variable genomic regions sequencing genome of S. reilianum comparing it U. genome. We detected 43 low sequence conservation in otherwise well-conserved syntenic genomes. These primarily encode include previously...
The fungal pathogen Ustilago maydis establishes a biotrophic relationship with its host plant maize (Zea mays). Hallmarks of the disease are large tumours in which proliferation occurs. Previous studies suggested that classical defence pathways not activated. Confocal microscopy, global expression profiling and metabolic now shows U. is recognized early triggers responses. Many these response genes downregulated at later time points, whereas several associated suppression cell death induced....
The biotrophic fungus Ustilago maydis causes smut disease in maize with characteristic tumor formation and anthocyanin induction. Here, we show that biosynthesis is induced by the virulence promoting secreted effector protein Tin2. Tin2 functions inside plant cells where it interacts kinase ZmTTK1. masks a ubiquitin-proteasome degradation motif ZmTTK1, thus stabilizing active kinase. Active ZmTTK1 controls activation of genes pathway. Without Tin2, enhanced lignin observed infected tissue...
The maize smut fungus Ustilago maydis is a model organism for elucidating host colonization strategies of biotrophic fungi. Here, we performed an in depth transcriptional profiling the entire plant-associated development U. wild-type strains. In our analysis, focused on fungal metabolism, nutritional strategies, secreted effectors, and regulatory networks. Secreted proteins were enriched three distinct expression modules corresponding to stages plant surface, establishment biotrophy,...
In U. maydis the multiallelic b locus controls sexual and pathogenic development. a gene coding for regulatory protein had been identified, it was suggested that interaction of two polypeptides specified by different alleles programs development in this fungus. We now demonstrate existence second locus. term bW refer to former as bE gene. Both genes exist many alleles. Although unrelated primary sequence, both are similar their overall organization. The products display allele-specific...
In the phytopathogenic fungus Ustilago maydis , switch to filamentous growth and pathogenic development is controlled by a heterodimeric transcription factor consisting of bW bE homeodomain proteins. To identify genes in regulatory cascade triggered bW/bE heterodimer, we have constructed strains which b inducible either arabinose or nitrate. At different time‐points after induction, that are switched on off were identified through modified, non‐radioactive RNA fingerprint procedure. From 348...
In the plant pathogenic fungus Ustilago maydis, sexual and development are controlled by multiallelic b mating-type locus. The locus encodes a pair of unrelated homeodomain proteins termed bE bW, with allelic differences clustering in N-terminal domains both polypeptides. Only combinations bW different origin active. We have investigated underlying molecular mechanism for this intracellular self/nonself recognition phenomenon. By using two-hybrid system, we were able to show that dimerize...
Abstract The fungus Ustilago maydis is a biotrophic pathogen of maize (Zea mays). In its genome we have identified an ortholog YAP1 (for Yeast AP-1-like) from Saccharomyces cerevisae that regulates the oxidative stress response in this organism. yap1 mutants U. displayed higher sensitivity to H2O2 than wild-type cells, and their virulence was significantly reduced. could partially complement deletion mutant S. cerevisiae, Yap1-green fluorescent protein fusion showed nuclear localization...