Identification of plant-regulated genes in Ustilago maydis by enhancer-trapping mutagenesis

Abstract

To identify plant-induced genes in the maize pathogenic fungus Ustilago maydis we have developed a genetic screen that combines REMI (restriction enzyme mediated integration) mutagenesis with enhancer trapping using the gene for Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) as vital reporter. Of 2,350 insertion mutants isolated, three were shown to express GFP only after the fungus had come into contact with the host maize plant. One of the genes tagged was mfa1, which encodes the pheromone precursor, while the second gene, pig2, codes for a product that showed similarity to protein disulfide isomerase. The third integration event had occurred in a locus which we designated the p -locus. This locus contains 11 genes in a 24-kb stretch. Of these, pig3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 show a plant-regulated expression pattern, while the other genes found at the locus (designated npi) do not. Of the plant-regulated genes only two were found to be similar to database entries: the pig4 product is related to membrane transporters of the major facilitator family, while the pig6 protein shows similarity to multidrug transporters. Detailed expression studies revealed that the five plant-regulated genes at the p -locus differ in their expression profiles. Mutants deleted for each of them showed no apparent phenotype, while the npi1 gene appeared to be essential. A viable deletion encompassing the entire p -locus could be generated when npi1 function was provided ectopically. This deletion mutant also showed no obvious alteration in virulence.