Abstract
We have described that formation of basidiocarps by Ustilago maydis requires illumination. In the current research, we have proceeded to analyze what kind of light receptors are involved in this phenomenon. Accordingly, we investigated whether the homologues of the White Collar (WC), and the phytochrome (PHY) genes played a role in this process. Mutants deficient in either one of the three U. maydis WC homologue genes (WCO1a, WCO1b, WCO2), or the phytochrome-encoding the PHY gene were obtained. Phenotypic analysis of the mutants showed that ∆wco1a mutants formed similar numbers of basidiocarps than wild-type strain, whereas ∆wco1b mutants were severely affected in basidiocarp formation when illuminated with white, blue or red light. ∆wco2 and ∆phy1 mutants did not form basidiocarps under any illumination condition. These data indicate that Wco1a is the main blue light receptor, and Wco1b may operate as a secondary blue light receptor; Phy1 is the red light receptor, and Wco2 the transcription factor that controls the photo stimulation of the genes involved in the formation of fruiting bodies. It is suggested that effectiveness of the light receptors depends on the whole structure of the complex, possibly, because their association is necessary to maintain their functional structure.
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Acknowledgements
This work was partially supported by Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (CONACYT), México. MOCE was a Ms.C. student with a fellowship from CONACYT. Thanks are given to Miss M. F. Salazar-Chávez for her technical assistance.
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Fig. S1 Strategy and results of deletion of WCO1a, WCO1b, and WCO2 genes in U. maydis. Genes were deleted from the U. maydis wild-type strain FB1 and FB2 by double homologous gene recombination. Only data for FB1 strain are shown; similar results were obtained for FB2 strain. A) Schematic representations of gene deletion strategy. HPH, hygromycin phosphotransferase genes, WCO1a, WCO1b and WCO2, WC gene homologues. Numbers 1-6, primers used (see Table S1). Notice that primers 1, 2, 3, and 6 are outside of the deletion cassettes. B) Results of the confirmation of gene deletion. I, II, and III. Gel electropherograms of the products of the amplicons obtained with the oligonucleotides shown above that confirm the deletion at the loci of WCO1a, WCO1b, and WCO2, respectively. I, lanes 1–5 (a and b), wco1a mutants; lane 6a, and 6b, wt. II, lane 1, wt; lanes 2, 3, wco1b mutants. III, lanes 1–6 (a and b), wco2 mutants; lane 7a and 7b, wt (PPTX 385 kb)
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Sánchez-Arreguin, J.A., Cabrera-Ponce, J.L., León-Ramírez, C.G. et al. Analysis of the photoreceptors involved in the light-depending basidiocarp formation in Ustilago maydis. Arch Microbiol 202, 93–103 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00203-019-01725-w
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00203-019-01725-w