The role of phytohormone biosynthesis in the Ergot fungus Claviceps purpurea

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Paul Tudzynski
• Subject Area: Organismic Interactions, Chemical Ecology and Microbiomes of Plant Systems
• Term: from 2014 to 2015
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 256236408

Plant-pathogenic fungi have been shown to produce all major phytohormones; their function in host-pathogen interaction has been postulated, but unequivocal proof for this role is still lacking. In most cases where the biosynthetic genes were identified, it was shown that the fungal pathways are special and different from plants. Cytokinins have been implied in several host-pathogen systems, but sofar the fungal pathways and the respective genes have not been identified. We could show that the Ergot fungus Claviceps purpurea produces CKs in axenic culture and identify the first fungal CK biosynthesis genes. The analysis of CK mutants for the first time substantiated a role of these fungal hormones in host-pathogen interaction, and moreover in vegetative growth and differentiation of the fungus itself, a new and interesting aspect. This project focuses on unraveling the fungal CK biosynthetic pathway, and on confirmation and detailed analysis of the role of these hormones in virulence and vegetative development of the fungus .

• DFG Programme: Research Grants