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Imprint
The early infection phase of Ustilago maydis: adaptation to the plant environment
Project
Project code: DFG FOR 666
Contract period: 01.01.2006
- 31.12.2012
Purpose of research: Basic research
We will characterize the modes of carbon acquisition of the biotrophic basidiomycete Ustilago maydis and the hemibiotrophic ascomycete Colletotrichum graminicola during their interaction with maize. Both fungi depend on the host metabolism for proliferation in planta, at least during the initial stages of infection. We have identified various U. maydis and C. graminicola genes for sugar transporters expressed during plant-pathogen interaction. Two of the U. maydis transporters are required for full virulence, one of them (Srt1) resembling a novel type of high affinity sucrose transporter. Deletion of Srt1 not only leads to a dramatically reduction in pathogenicity, but also triggers a plant defence reaction. Our aim is to analyse the fungal and plant transport processes at the interphase between hyphae and plant apoplast, and to elucidate similarities between the biotrophic and hemibiotrophic system. Transporters shown to be induced locally at the site of infection will be functionally and kinetically characterized. Their role on carbon uptake/supply as well as for redirecting host metabolism will be assessed by a combination of laser micro-dissection/microarray-analysis, in situ expression- and localization-studies, and reverse genetics. Of particular interest is the characterization of the novel U. maydis sucrose transporter Srt1 and its function during pathogenic development, and to investigate whether the uptake of sucrose plays a comparable role during C. graminicola infection.
Section overview
Subjects
- Crop Protection
Collaborative Project
FOR 666: Mechanisms of compatibility: Reprogramming of plant metabolism by fungal effector molecules
