Research report 2021 - Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology
The maize blight pathogen Ustilago maydis: a key to understanding and controlling fungal plant parasites
Authors
Kahmann, Regine
Departments
Abteilung Molekulare Phytopathologie
Summary
Ustilago maydis is one of numerous fungal pathogens that destroy large quantities of crops worldwide each year. Its highly specific interaction with the host plant maize is a valuable model system for studying molecular details of fungal-plant interactions. We found a fungal complex of seven proteins forming a structure with an essential role in disease development. Our findings potentially a fungal complex of seven proteins forming a structure with an essential role in disease development. Our findings potentially open up novel approaches to plant protection.