Plant Pathology (2021) 70, 1626-1639

H.Y. Kitty Cheung, Michael E. Donaldson, Emilee R.M. Storfie, Kelsey L. Spence, Jessie L.O. Fetsch, Makayla C. Harrison and Barry J. Saville (2021)
Zfp1, a putative Zn(II)₂Cys₆ transcription factor, influences Ustilago maydis pathogenesis at multiple stages
Plant Pathology 70 (7), 1626-1639
Abstract: As a biotrophic fungus, Ustilago maydis, the causal agent of common smut of maize, must establish and maintain a relationship with the host throughout the pathogenic cycle. Functional characterization of the U. maydis transcription factor Zfp1 suggests a role in modulating pathogenic development. Deletion of zfp1 resulted in attenuated pathogenic hyphal growth, reduced infection frequency, arrested disease symptom development, and decreased anthocyanin production. Complementation with Zfp1 constructs lacking conserved domains indicated it may function with and without DNA binding and suggests a role for the Fungal_trans domain in enabling full virulence. RNA-sequencing revealed the transcription of approximately 30% of U. maydis genes, including those encoding predicted and confirmed effectors, were altered in the zfp1 deletion strain during pathogenic growth. Together, the results suggest that Zfp1 is a Zn(II)₂Cys₆ transcription factor that is required for the full induction of infection, anthocyanin production, and virulence.
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Database assignments for author(s): Barry J. Saville

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
molecular biology - genes

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Mycosarcoma maydis	Maize/corn (Zea mays)