Project description:Infection-related development of phytopathogenic fungi is initiated by sensing and responding to plant surface cues. This response results in the formation of specialized infection structures, so-called appressoria. To unravel the program inducing appressoria in the biotrophic smut fungus Ustilago maydis, we exposed cells to a hydrophobic surface and the cutin monomer 16-hydroxy hexadecanoic acid. Genome-wide transcriptional profiling under these appressorium-inducing in vitro conditions revealed dramatic transcriptional changes in almost 20% of the genes. Comparisons with the U. maydis sho1 msb2 double mutant, lacking two putative sensors for plant surface cues, revealed that these plasma membrane receptors regulate a small subset of the surface cue-induced genes. These genes comprised mainly secreted proteins including plant cell wall degrading enzymes that facilitate plant penetration and secreted effectors that are essential virulence factors, with functions after penetration. Our data also demonstrate specific effects on two transcription factors that redirect the transcriptional regulatory network towards appressorium formation and plant penetration. Thus, plant surface cues prime U. maydis for biotrophic development. Solopathogenic Ustilago maydis strain AM1 and its derivate AM1Δsho1Δmsb2 were grown to mid-log phase in YEPSL medium and resuspended in 2% YEPSL plus/minus 16-hydroxy hexadecanoic acid (HDA). The cell suspensions were sprayed on hydrophobic surface (Parafilm) and incubated for 12 h. As control, cells were sprayed on hydrophilic glass surface and incubated for 2 h. After RNA extraction Affymetrix microarrays were performed.
Project description:Infection-related development of phytopathogenic fungi is initiated by sensing and responding to plant surface cues. This response results in the formation of specialized infection structures, so-called appressoria. To unravel the program inducing appressoria in the biotrophic smut fungus Ustilago maydis, we exposed cells to a hydrophobic surface and the cutin monomer 16-hydroxy hexadecanoic acid. Genome-wide transcriptional profiling under these appressorium-inducing in vitro conditions revealed dramatic transcriptional changes in almost 20% of the genes. Comparisons with the U. maydis sho1 msb2 double mutant, lacking two putative sensors for plant surface cues, revealed that these plasma membrane receptors regulate a small subset of the surface cue-induced genes. These genes comprised mainly secreted proteins including plant cell wall degrading enzymes that facilitate plant penetration and secreted effectors that are essential virulence factors, with functions after penetration. Our data also demonstrate specific effects on two transcription factors that redirect the transcriptional regulatory network towards appressorium formation and plant penetration. Thus, plant surface cues prime U. maydis for biotrophic development.
Project description:mRNAs comparison between Ustilago maydis wild type grown in diluted YEPS (control) and in cell-free supernatants of Ustilago maydis wild type treated with H202 in two different concentrations (0.4% and 0.7%).
Project description:The fungal pathogen Ustilago maydis establishes a biotrophic relationship with its host plant maize. Hallmarks of the disease are large plant tumors in which fungal proliferation occurs. Plants have developed various defense pathways to cope with pathogens. We used microarrays to detail the global programme of gene expression during the infection process of Ustilago maydis in its host plant to get insights into the defense programs and the metabolic reprogramming needed to supply the fungus with nutrients. Keywords: time course
Project description:Study of gene regulation basidiocarps development in Ustilago maydis using transcriptomic analysis. In 2012, Cabrera-Ponce et al. established conditions allowing a completely different developmental program in U. maydis when grown on solid medium containing Dicamba (synthetic auxin) in dual cultures with maize embryogenic calli.
Project description:Investigation of whole genome gene expression level in Pseudozyma antarctica T-34, compared to Ustilago maydis UM521. To clarify the transcriptomic characteristics of Pseudozyma antarctica under the conditions of high MEL production, a DNA microarray of both the strains, Pseudozyma antarctica T-34 and Ustilago maydis UM521 was prepared and analyzed the transcriptomes.