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A novel class of small amphipathic peptides affect aerial hyphal growth and surface hydrophobicity in Ustilago maydis.
Author(s) -
Wösten H. A.,
Bohlmann R.,
Eckerskorn C.,
Lottspeich F.,
Bölker M.,
Kahmann R.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
the embo journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 7.484
H-Index - 392
eISSN - 1460-2075
pISSN - 0261-4189
DOI - 10.1002/j.1460-2075.1996.tb00802.x
Subject(s) - ustilago , biology , hypha , microbiology and biotechnology , biochemistry , gene
Ustilago maydis, a fungal pathogen of corn, can alternate between yeast‐like and filamentous growth. This dimorphic switch is governed by the mating‐type loci. We have identified an abundant class of small SDS‐insoluble cell wall proteins, designated repellents, specifically present in the filamentous form. Genetic analysis revealed that these peptides are processed from a single precursor protein, Rep1. Rep1 comprises 652 amino acids with a leader sequence for secretion. A characteristic feature of Rep1 is 12 repeats of a 37 amino acid consensus sequence; 10 of these repeats are separated by Kex2 protease cleavage sites. In (delta)rep1 mutants formation of aerial hyphae and surface hydrophobicity were reduced dramatically. This and the fact that expression of rep1 is regulated by the mating‐type loci indicates that repellents play a structural role in the formation of aerial hyphae.