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Updated: Aug 6, 2026

Using Ustilago maydis as a Trojan Horse for In Situ Delivery of Maize Proteins
05:38

Using Ustilago maydis as a Trojan Horse for In Situ Delivery of Maize Proteins

Published on: February 8, 2019

Pathocycles: Ustilago maydis as a model to study the relationships between cell cycle and virulence in pathogenic

José Pérez-Martín1, Sonia Castillo-Lluva, Cecilia Sgarlata

  • 1Departamento de Biotecnología Microbiana, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología-CSIC, Campus de Cantoblanco-UAM, 28049, Madrid, Spain. jperez@cnb.uam.es

Molecular Genetics and Genomics : MGG
|August 10, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Pathogenic fungi like Ustilago maydis use cell cycle modifications to activate virulence. Understanding cell cycle regulation in this dimorphic fungus is key to controlling corn smut disease.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Plant Pathology

Background:

  • Pathogenic fungi often alter cell cycle and differentiation to infect hosts.
  • Ustilago maydis, a dimorphic fungus, is a model for studying fungal development and pathogenicity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent advances in understanding cell cycle regulation in Ustilago maydis.
  • To discuss the link between cell cycle control and fungal virulence.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on Ustilago maydis cell cycle and virulence.
  • Analysis of the relationship between cell cycle, morphogenesis, and pathogenicity.

Main Results:

  • Cell cycle regulation is crucial for Ustilago maydis differentiation and infection.
  • Fungal-plant interactions involve downstream targeting of cell cycle control.

Conclusions:

  • Ustilago maydis serves as a valuable model for dissecting cell cycle, morphogenesis, and pathogenicity links.
  • Targeting cell cycle control is a potential strategy in managing fungal plant diseases.

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