Metabolomic Study in Ustilaginaceae with GC-MS/MS

Ustilago maydis, the causative agent of corn smut in maize, is a well-established model organism for fundamental biological research. In addition, this fungus has growing biotechnological importance, as it proliferates in a haploid, non-filamentous form and efficiently converts renewable substrates into a range of industrially valuable products. To complement the extensive molecular and genetic tools already available, metabolomics provides essential insights into cellular physiology and supports the exploitation of its production potential. Here, a GC-MS-based workflow for the absolute quantification of intracellular metabolites in U. maydis is presented. This protocol enables systematic analysis of metabolic network operation and can be readily extended to metabolomics studies in related fungi in the Ustilaginaceae family.