G. Doehlemann

The fungal pathogen Ustilago maydis targets the maize corepressor TPL2 to modulate host transcription for tumorigenesis

This study identifies Tip6, an effector protein from Ustilago maydis, which interacts with ZmTPL2 to disrupt host transcriptional regulation and promote tumorigenesis.

A conserved extracellular ribonuclease with broad-spectrum cytotoxic activity enables smut fungi to compete with host-associated bacteria

This study identifies Ribo1, a secreted ribonuclease in smut fungi, which exhibits broad-spectrum cytotoxic activity against bacteria, yeast, and plants, enabling fungal competition with host-associated bacteria during epiphytic growth.

A transcriptional activator effector of Ustilago maydis regulates hyperplasia in maize during pathogen-induced tumor formation

This study identifies Sts2, an effector of Ustilago maydis, as a transcriptional activator that promotes tumor formation in maize by interacting with ZmNECAP1 and activating leaf developmental regulators.

Combination of transcriptomic, proteomic and degradomic profiling reveals common and distinct patterns of pathogen-induced cell death in maize

Maize phytocytokines and microbial-patterns trigger antagonistic features in co-incidence with wounding and fungal pathogens

This study identifies three active maize phytocytokines that trigger immune responses similar to MAMPs but with distinct antagonistic features in plant defense against fungal pathogens and wounding.

Exploiting effector - host interactions using TurboID-based proximity labeling

The paper identifies host proteins interacting with the Ustilago maydis effector UmSee1 using TurboID-based proximity labeling, revealing three ubiquitin-proteasome pathway proteins involved in tumor formation during infection.

Maize immune signalling peptide ZIP1 evolved de novo from a retrotransposon

The paper describes the de novo evolution of a maize immune signalling peptide ZIP1 from a retrotransposon in the Gyma family.

A conserved enzyme of smut fungi facilitates cell-to-cell movement in the plant bundle sheath

The paper identifies Erc1 as a conserved enzyme in smut fungi that enables cell-to-cell movement in plant bundle sheath cells, contributing to virulence across different host species.

High nucleotide substitution rates associated with retrotransposon proliferation drive dynamic secretome evolution in smut pathogens

This study shows that retrotransposon proliferation in Ustilago hordei drives high nucleotide substitution rates, particularly affecting secretome gene evolution.

A fungal member of the microbial phyllosphere antagonizes infection of Arabidopsis thaliana by the oomycete pathogen Albugo laibachii via a secreted lysozyme

The paper identifies a fungal lysozyme that reduces infection of Arabidopsis by an oomycete pathogen through microbial antagonism in the phyllosphere.

The Ustilago hordei-barley interaction is a versatile system to characterize fungal effectors

This study presents Ustilago hordei as a model system for characterizing fungal effectors using genetic tools and microscopy analysis.

Epichloe festucae in mutualistic association with Lolium perenne suppresses host apoplastic cysteine protease activity

This study identifies and characterizes apoplastic cysteine proteases in Lolium perenne and shows that mutualistic Epichloe festucae suppresses their activity through potential inhibitors like LpCys1.

Cross-species analysis between the maize smut fungi Ustilago maydis and Sporisorium reilianum highlights the role of transcriptional plasticity of effector orthologs for virulence and disease

This study compares effector gene regulation in two maize smut fungi, showing transcriptional plasticity and functional divergence contribute to disease symptom differences.

Transcriptome analysis in the maize-Ustilago maydis interaction identifies maize-line-specific activity of fungal effectors

The paper identifies maize-line-specific virulence functions of Ustilago maydis effectors through RNA-Seq and CRISPR/Cas9 mutants, revealing auxin-related processes as a target.

Cell type specific transcriptional reprogramming of maize leaves during Ustilago maydis induced tumor formation

The paper identifies cell-type specific transcriptional changes in maize leaves during Ustilago maydis infection, revealing gene expression patterns associated with hypertrophy and hyperplasia in mesophyll and bundle sheath cells.

Pseudozyma saprotrophic yeasts have retained a large effector arsenal, including functional Pep1 orthologs

The paper shows that Pseudozyma yeasts retain effector proteins, including Pep1 orthologs, which can restore virulence in a Ustilago maydis mutant, suggesting potential plant pathogenic capabilities.