Identification and Characterization of Two Transmembrane Proteins Required for Virulence of Ustilago maydis.

ABSTRACT: Smut fungi comprise a large group of biotrophic phytopathogens infecting important crops such as wheat and corn. Through the secretion of effector proteins, the fungus actively suppresses plant immune reactions and modulates its host's metabolism. Consequently, how soluble effector proteins contribute to virulence is already characterized in a range of phytopathogens. However, membrane-associated virulence factors have been much less studied to date. Here, we investigated six transmembrane (TM) proteins that show elevated gene expression during biotrophic development of the maize pathogen Ustilago maydis. We show that two of the six proteins, named Vmp1 and Vmp2 (virulence-associated membrane protein), are essential for the full virulence of U. maydis. Th

SUBMITTER: Weiland P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8176221 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature