Open AccessSmall heat shock proteins ( HSP 12, HSP 20 and HSP 30) play a role in Ustilago maydis pathogenesis
Author(s) -
Ghosh Anupama
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
fems microbiology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1574-6968
pISSN - 0378-1097
DOI - 10.1111/1574-6968.12605
Subject(s) - ustilago , biology , heat shock protein , gene , heat shock , microbiology and biotechnology , complementation , hsp70 , ectopic expression , genetics , phenotype
Small heat shock proteins ( HSP ) have multiple functions within a cell. These functions primarily include regulation of growth and survival in response to different stresses. However in some cases small HSP s have been shown to play crucial roles in microbial pathogenesis. Ustilago maydis genome also codes for a number of small HSP s. In the present study we elucidate the role of U. maydis small HSP s in the pathogenicity as well as general stress response of the fungus. Through quantitative real time PCR analysis the expression levels of small HSP genes in comparison with other HSP s were assessed both during infection of the host plant Zea mays and when the pathogen was subjected to an abiotic stress such as oxidative stress. This study revealed that contrary to other HSP s, small HSP s showed an increased level of differential expression under both the tested conditions, indicating a possible role of small HSP s in the pathogenicity and stress response of U. maydis . This has been further confirmed by generation of deletion and complementation strains of three putative small HSP s.