J. R. Depotter

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.

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

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

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

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.