LUstiGE, Light responsive Ustilago maydis Gene Expression: Optogenetic control of morphogenesis and pathogenesis in the corn fungal pathogen Ustilago maydis

09 Jul 20264 min read0 viewsVerified Feed

GIST (Key Takeaways)

The basidiomycete Ustilago maydis is a well-characterized model organism for studying pathogen-host interactions and of great interest for a broad spectrum of biotechnological applications. We set here to develop light inducible molecular tools to enable dynamic studies on signaling networks and fungi-host communication, and for metabolic engineering approaches.
In particular, light-controlled, optogenetic switches provide quantitative, spatio-temporal control capabilities, are minimal invasive and reversible. We engineered two blue light-inducible LOV-domain-based gene expression switches, to up- (Blue-ON) and down-regulate (Blue-OFF) gene expression, and performed a functional characterization in sporidia and hyphae of U.
maydis. Profiting from the dynamic control ranges and rapid kinetics, we implemented the optoswitches to control cell morphology by initiating the transition from a haploid sporidial cellular morphotype to filaments upon regulation of the levels of the polarity factor Rac1 and its constitutive active mutant Q61L.
In addition to showing how expression level of effectors can be precisely regulated as an approach to understand fungi-plants interaction, we show in two proof-of-principle applications targeted control over U. maydis filamentous fungal invasion of plant tissue and the mechanisms of tumor formation.

Clinical Editorial

bioRxiv (Biomedical Preprints) published a clinical update in Research Highlights on 09 Jul 2026.

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