Title : Transcription factors as targets for ustilago maydis effectors
Abstract:
Ustilago maydis, the causative agent of corn smut disease, infects one of the most important crops worldwide – Zea mays. To successfully colonize its host U. maydis secretes proteins, known as effectors, that suppress plant defense responses and facilitate the establishment of biotrophy. Perception of pathogens by the host involves transcriptional reprogramming towards defense. This makes plant transcription factors (TFs) putative targets of fungal effectors. The aim of this project is to identify U. maydis effector candidates that target maize transcription factors, by yeast two-hybrid screening against a maize transcription factor library. Here we present our latest findings on one interesting interaction pair identified by this screen: The effector candidate Kxe1 and the KNOX transcription factor family
