Open AccessPathogenicity Resulting from Mutation at the b Locus of Ustilago maydis
Author(s) -
Peter Day,
Sandra L. Anagnostakis,
John E. Puhalla
Publication year - 1971
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.011
H-Index - 771
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.68.3.533
Subject(s) - ustilago , biology , locus (genetics) , mutant , fungus , genetics , basidiospore , microbiology and biotechnology , botany , gene , spore
This paper explores the genetic basis of the ability of the fungus,Ustilago maydis , to induce neoplastic galls in the corn plant (Zea mays ). Pathogenic mutants ofU. maydis were produced by ultraviolet irradiation of cultures of nonpathogenic diploids homozygous at theb locus. The mutants formed smaller neoplasms, produced fewer teliospores, and showed higher frequencies of meiotic failure and lower rates of basidiospore survival than did the wild-type fungus.