Trehalose Determination in Ustilago maydis Under Stress Conditions

Trehalose is a disaccharide involved in cellular protection under stress and energy storage. In the maize pathogen Ustilago maydis, intracellular trehalose levels fluctuate in response to environmental stressors. This protocol describes the intracellular trehalose quantification by HPLC in wild-type and mutant strains of U. maydis exposed to various in vitro stress conditions, including oxidative, osmotic, acid, and cell wall stress. This method enables the assessment of trehalose's protective role and the functionality of trehalases in stress response.