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Transcriptional Regulation of the Genes Encoding Chitin and β-1,3-Glucan Synthases from Ustilago maydis

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Abstract

Transcriptional regulation of genes encoding chitin synthases (CHS) and β-1,3-glucan synthase (GLS) from Ustilago maydis was studied. Transcript levels were measured during the growth curve of yeast and mycelial forms, in response to ionic and osmotic stress, and during infection of maize plants. Expression of the single GLS gene was constitutive. In contrast, CHS genes expression showed differences depending on environmental conditions. Transcript levels were slightly higher in the mycelial forms, the highest levels occurring at the log phase. Ionic and osmotic stress induced alterations in the expression of CHS genes, but not following a defined pattern, some genes were induced and others repressed by the tested compounds. Changes in transcripts were more apparent during the pathogenic process. At early infection stages, only CHS6 gene showed significant transcript levels, whereas at the period of tumor formation CHS7 and CHS8 genes were also were induced.

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Acknowledgments

This study was partially supported by Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (CONACYT), México. MRB is a D. Sc. student supported by a fellowship from CONACYT. Thanks are given to Claudia León-Ramírez for her help during this investigation.

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  1. Departamento de Ingeniería Genética, Unidad Irapuato, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Irapuato, GTO, Mexico

    Mariana Robledo-Briones & José Ruiz-Herrera

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  1. Mariana Robledo-Briones
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  2. José Ruiz-Herrera
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Correspondence to José Ruiz-Herrera.

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Robledo-Briones, M., Ruiz-Herrera, J. Transcriptional Regulation of the Genes Encoding Chitin and β-1,3-Glucan Synthases from Ustilago maydis . Curr Microbiol 65, 85–90 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00284-012-0129-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00284-012-0129-0

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