Expression and function of sex pheromones and receptors in the homothallic ascomycete Gibberella zeae.

ABSTRACT: In heterothallic ascomycete fungi, idiomorphic alleles at the MAT locus control two sex pheromone-receptor pairs that function in the recognition and chemoattraction of strains with opposite mating types. In the ascomycete Gibberella zeae, the MAT locus is rearranged such that both alleles are adjacent on the same chromosome. Strains of G. zeae are self-fertile but can outcross facultatively. Our objective was to determine if pheromones retain a role in sexual reproduction in this homothallic fungus. Putative pheromone precursor genes (ppg1 and ppg2) and their corresponding pheromone receptor genes (pre2 and pre1) were identified in the genomic sequence of G. zeae by sequence similarity and microsynteny with other ascomycetes. ppg1, a homolog of the Saccharomyces alpha-factor pheromone pre

SUBMITTER: Lee J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2446672 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature