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: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:We sequenced the complete genome of an ectophytic fungus, Ramichloridium luteum, which colonizes the surface of apple fruit, and carried out comparative genomic and transcriptome analysis
Project description:RNA sequencing was applied to compare the transcriptome profiles of mycelium on potato dextrose for 15days (PDA15d) and mycelium on apple surface for 15days (DT15d).
Project description:Plant-based diets could be a key source of microRNAs in animals. Plant microRNAs are cross-kingdom gene expression regulators that could modulate mammalian gene expression, influencing their physiology. Therefore, it is important to identify the microRNA expression profile of plant foods in order to identify potential target genes and biological functions in the mammalian host. Next-generation sequencing was applied to identify microRNAs in RNA samples derived from nuts (walnut and almond), vegetables (spinach) and fruits (orange, apple, olive, pear, and tomato). Our data revealed that edible plant contain a large number and diverse type of microRNAs.
Project description:The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of dietary plant and animal proteins on gut metabolism and markers for colorectal cancer as well as blood protein metabolites and markers for type 2 diabetes in healthy adults. The study participants will be stratified into three groups with different protein composition in diets: 1) animal 70%/plant 30%; 2) animal 50%/plant 50% and 3) animal 30%/plant 70%. The participants will get part of their diet as ready foods or raw material to promote their compliance. The participants will also get personal advice for their diets. Blood, stool and urine samples will be collected in the beginning and in the end of the 12 week intervention, as well as phenotype measures like BMI, blood pressure and body composition. The participants will also fill food diary before and in the end of the intervention.