Project description:In the phytopathogenic Basidiomcete Ustilago maydis, sexual and pathogenic development are tightly connected and controlled via the b-mating type locus. The b-mating type locus encodes two homeodomain transcription factors, bE and bW, which form an active heterodimeric complex when they are derived from different b-alleles. Rbf1 encodes a zinc-finger transcription factor that is expressed upon formation of an active bE/bW heterodimer. To identify gene regulated by rbf1 independently from b, the b mating type locus was replaced by a copy of rbf1 under control of the arabinose-inducible crg1 promoter (strain CP27). Samples were taken 5h after induction of rbf1 gene expression. Strain JB2, carrying a deletion of the b-locus, was used as control.
