Use of PCR to detect infection of differentially susceptible maize cultivars using Ustilago maydis strains of variable virulence.
Ustilago maydis was specifically detected in infected maize plants by means of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using oligonucleotides corresponding to a specific region downstream of the homeodomain of the bE genes of the pathogen. The reaction gave rise to amplification of a ca. 500-bp product when tested with U. maydis DNA, but no amplification was detected with DNA from fungi not related to U. maydis. Using these primers, U. maydis was detected in infected maize plants from differentially susceptible cultivars as early as 4 days after inoculation with strains of variable degrees of virulence. Detection of U. maydis at early stages of infection, or in asymptomatic infected plants should assist in studies on plant-pathogen interactions.
Martínez-Espinoza
Alfredo D
AD
Departamento de Ingeniería Genética, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, 36500 Irapuato, Gto., México.
León-Ramírez
Claudia G
CG
Singh
Nisha
N
Ruiz-Herrera
José
J
D001483:Base Sequence; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000235:genetics; D004271:DNA, Fungal / Q000235:genetics; D010935:Plant Diseases / Q000382:microbiology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D014588:Ustilago / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity; D014774:Virulence / Q000235:genetics; D003313:Zea mays / Q000382:microbiology*
D017931:DNA Primers; D004271:DNA, Fungal