The Ustilago maydis Clp1 protein orchestrates pheromone and b-dependent signaling pathways to coordinate the cell cycle and pathogenic development.
Regulation of the cell cycle and morphogenetic switching during pathogenic and sexual development in Ustilago maydis is orchestrated by a concerted action of the a and b mating-type loci. Activation of either mating-type locus triggers the G2 cell cycle arrest that is a prerequisite for the formation of the infectious dikaryon; this cell cycle arrest is released only after penetration of the host plant. Here, we show that bW, one of the two homeodomain transcription factors encoded by the b mating-type locus, and the zinc-finger transcription factor Rbf1, a master regulator for pathogenic development, interact with Clp1 (clampless 1), a protein required for the distribution of nuclei during cell division of the dikaryon. In addition, we identify Cib1, a previously undiscovered bZIP transcription factor required for pathogenic development, as a Clp1-interacting protein. Clp1 interaction with bW blocks b-dependent functions, such as the b-dependent G2 cell cycle arrest and dimorphic switching. The interaction of Clp1 with Rbf1 results in the repression of the a-dependent pheromone pathway, conjugation tube formation, and the a-induced G2 cell cycle arrest. The concerted interaction of Clp1 with Rbf1 and bW coordinates a- and b-dependent cell cycle control and ensures cell cycle release and progression at the onset of biotrophic development.
Heimel
Kai
K
Department of Genetics, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, 76187 Karlsruhe, Germany.
Scherer
Mario
M
Schuler
David
D
Kämper
Jörg
J
D002453:Cell Cycle; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004271:DNA, Fungal / Q000235:genetics; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D049770:Genes, Mating Type, Fungal; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D010675:Pheromones / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014588:Ustilago / Q000166:cytology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity
C094561:BW1 protein, Ustilago maydis; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins; D004271:DNA, Fungal; D005656:Fungal Proteins; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D010675:Pheromones; D014157:Transcription Factors