Cdc25-Mediated Activation of the Small GTPase RasB Is Essential for Hyphal Fusion and Symbiotic Infection of Epichloe festucae.

ABSTRACT: Epichloë festucae is a filamentous endophytic fungus that symbiotically colonises the intercellular spaces of aerial tissues in perennial ryegrass without causing disease symptoms. This mutualistic association enhances host resistance to both biotic and abiotic stresses. Balanced and coordinated growth of E. festucae with its host is essential for the establishment and long-term maintenance of the symbiotic relationship. Various E. festucae mutants defective in symbiosis with host plants have been isolated, and notably, many of these symbiosis-defective mutants also lack hyphal fusion ability under culture conditions, supporting a close functional connection between signal transduction required for hyphal fusion and symbiosis establishment. Using a plasmid insertional mutagenesis approach,

SUBMITTER: Inagaki M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12851848 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature