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Updated: Jul 19, 2025

Genetic Manipulation of the Plant Pathogen Ustilago maydis to Study Fungal Biology and Plant Microbe Interactions
11:42

Genetic Manipulation of the Plant Pathogen Ustilago maydis to Study Fungal Biology and Plant Microbe Interactions

Published on: September 30, 2016

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The mRNA stability factor Khd4 defines a specific mRNA regulon for membrane trafficking in the pathogen Ustilago

Srimeenakshi Sankaranarayanan1, Carl Haag1, Patrick Petzsch2

  • 1Institute of Microbiology, Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf 40204, Germany.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
|August 17, 2023
PubMed

Insights

The RNA-binding protein Khd4 regulates fungal pathogenicity by controlling mRNA stability. Khd4 orchestrates membrane trafficking in Ustilago maydis through a specific mRNA regulon.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular biology
  • Mycology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Fungal pathogens utilize complex gene expression for infection.
  • RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are critical for RNA regulation.
  • Spatiotemporal RNA control mechanisms in fungal pathogenicity are poorly understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of the RBP Khd4 in fungal pathogenicity.
  • To identify the mRNA targets and regulatory mechanisms of Khd4.
  • To elucidate Khd4's function in membrane trafficking during pathogenic development.

Main Methods:

  • Established hyperTRIBE (Tandem RNA Interacting Methylation Environment) for fungal RBPs.
  • Generated a transcriptome-wide map of Khd4 interactions in vivo.
  • Analyzed target mRNA stability and regulatory elements.

Main Results:

  • Discovered Khd4 defines a distinct mRNA regulon.
  • Identified Khd4 target mRNAs enriched for GTPase signaling proteins.
  • Khd4 controls mRNA stability via the AUACCC element in 3' UTRs.
  • Linked Khd4 to vacuole maturation during pathogenicity.

Conclusions:

  • Khd4 acts as an RNA stability factor.
  • Khd4 defines a specific mRNA regulon for membrane trafficking.
  • This mechanism is crucial for pathogenic development in Ustilago maydis.
Keywords:
GTPasefungal pathogenmRNA stabilitymembrane traffickingpolar growth

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