A novel class of small amphipathic peptides affect aerial hyphal growth and surface hydrophobicity in Ustilago maydis.
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.
Wösten
H A
HA
Institut für Genetik und Mikrobiologie der Universität München, Germany.
Bohlmann
R
R
Eckerskorn
C
C
Lottspeich
F
F
Bölker
M
M
Kahmann
R
R
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001483:Base Sequence; D002473:Cell Wall / Q000737:chemistry*; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002627:Chemistry, Physical; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D016384:Consensus Sequence; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005800:Genes, Fungal; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009024:Morphogenesis; D010455:Peptides / Q000502:physiology*; D043484:Proprotein Convertases; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins; D013381:Subtilisins / Q000378:metabolism; D013499:Surface Properties; D014588:Ustilago / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism
D005656:Fungal Proteins; D010455:Peptides; D011498:Protein Precursors; C102170:Rep1 protein, Ustilago maydis; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins; D043484:Proprotein Convertases; D013381:Subtilisins; C058751:KEX2 protein, S cerevisiae