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Methylation is involved in the Ustilago maydis mating response
J A Fischer1, M P McCann, K M Snetselaar
1Biology Department, Saint Joseph's University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19131, USA.
Fungal Genetics and Biology : FG & B
|September 25, 2001
Summary
Methionine auxotrophs in Ustilago maydis show mating defects due to impaired pheromone signaling. Supplementation with methionine or S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) partially restores mating ability.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Ustilago maydis is a model organism for studying fungal mating and pathogenicity.
- Methionine is an essential amino acid involved in various cellular processes, including methylation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of methionine metabolism in the mating process of Ustilago maydis.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying mating deficiency in methionine auxotrophs.
Main Methods:
- Genetic analysis of methionine auxotrophs.
- Phenotypic characterization of mating and plant infection.
- Biochemical assays using methyltransferase inhibitors.
- Complementation studies with exogenous compounds.
Main Results:
- Methionine auxotrophs exhibited significant mating deficiency, particularly when cells were not in direct contact.
- This deficiency was genetically linked to methionine auxotrophy.
- Inhibition of methyltransferase activity mimicked the mating defect.
- Supplementation with methionine, S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), pheromone, or cAMP partially rescued the mating impairment.
Conclusions:
- Methionine auxotrophy in Ustilago maydis leads to mating deficiency primarily due to impaired pheromone signal transduction.
- The defect likely arises from insufficient methylation of a key component in the pheromone pathway.
- SAM-dependent methylation is crucial for normal Ustilago maydis mating.