1. Fungal gene clusters.
- Author
-
Dean, Ralph A.
- Subjects
- *
FUNGAL diseases of plants , *CORN smut disease , *USTILAGO , *MICROBIAL virulence -- Immunological aspects , *CARRIER proteins , *HOST-virus relationships , *GENETICS - Abstract
The article presents a study on gene clusters in fungus that cause the corn smut disease. Ustilago maydis, an agent that causes agricultural blight, contains gene clusters sharing characteristics similar to bacterial pathogenicity. The biotrophic agent must keep its host alive to survive and reproduce. The article suggests that strategies that focus on blocking P-type ATPases and other elements required for secretion and delivery of proteins in the host may help control the virulence factors.
- Published
- 2007
- Full Text
- View/download PDF