title: Characterization of mating-type loci in rice false smut fungus Villosiclava virens.
abstract: Ascospores of Villosiclava virens are a primary infection source of rice false smut. This phytopathogenic fungus exists in heterothallic form, and mating compatibility is regulated by mating-type locus 1 (MAT1). However, the MAT1 locus structure remains unknown. The MAT1-1 and MAT1-2 idiomorphs of V. virens were characterized and annotated on the basis of cDNA sequencing. A multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method was developed to identify the mating types of hyphae and sclerotia. The MAT1-1 locus of V. virens contains three mating-type genes: MAT1-1-1, MAT1-1-2 and MAT1-1-3, and a pseudogene similar to MAT1-2-1. The MAT1-2 locus harbors the MAT1-2-1 gene and a new mating-type gene MAT1-2-8. The mRNA of MAT1-1-1, MAT1-1-3 and MAT1-2-1, but not MAT1-1-2, was detectible by reverse transcription PCR in vegetative mycelia. However, the mRNA of MAT1-1-2 was detectible in the stroma, which is a sexual reproduction structure of V. virens. A multiplex PCR detection method was developed for the identification of the MAT1-1 and MAT1-2 idiomorphs. All 20 wild-type strains harbored either the MAT1-1 or MAT1-2 idiomorphs. Sclerotia that harbored both the MAT1-1 and MAT1-2 idiomorphs had potential to form fertile stromata, whereas those that harbored only the MAT1-1 idiomorph could not form mature stromata.
authors: Institute of Plant Protection, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, No.50 Zhongling Street, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210014, China.
authors: Jun-jie
authors: JJ
authors: Yu
authors: College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, No.2 Yuanmingyuanxi Street, Haidian district, Beijing 100193, China.
authors: Wen-xian
authors: WX
authors: Sun
authors: Institute of Plant Protection, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, No.50 Zhongling Street, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210014, China.
authors: Mi-na
authors: MN
authors: Yu
authors: Institute of Plant Protection, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, No.50 Zhongling Street, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210014, China.
authors: Xiao-le
authors: XL
authors: Yin
authors: Institute of Plant Protection, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, No.50 Zhongling Street, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210014, China.
authors: Xiang-kun
authors: XK
authors: Meng
authors: Institute of Plant Protection, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, No.50 Zhongling Street, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210014, China.
authors: Jie
authors: J
authors: Zhao
authors: Institute of Plant Protection, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, No.50 Zhongling Street, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210014, China.
authors: Lei
authors: L
authors: Huang
authors: Department of Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717-3150, USA.
authors: Li
authors: L
authors: Huang
authors: Institute of Plant Protection, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, No.50 Zhongling Street, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210014, China liuyf@jaas.ac.cn.
authors: Yong-feng
authors: YF
authors: Liu
mesh_terms: D049770:Genes, Mating Type, Fungal; D056426:Genetic Loci; D006999:Hypocreales / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D012275:Oryza / Q000382:microbiology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012098:Reproduction; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D013172:Spores, Fungal / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D014587:Ustilaginales / Q000235:genetics
keywords: HMG domain; Villosiclava virens; mating-type gene; mating-type locus; α-box