Regenfelder E, Spellig T, Hartmann A, Lauenstein S, Bölker M, Kahmann R
Institut für Genetik und Mikrobiologie der Universität München, Germany.
EMBO J. 1997 Apr 15;16(8):1934-42. doi: 10.1093/emboj/16.8.1934.
In the phytopathogenic fungus Ustilago maydis, cell fusion is governed by a pheromone signalling system. The pheromone receptors belong to the seven transmembrane class that are coupled to heterotrimeric G proteins. We have isolated four genes (gpa1 to gpa4) encoding alpha subunits of G proteins. Gpa1, Gpa2 and Gpa3 have homologues in other fungal species, while Gpa4 is novel. Null mutants in individual genes were viable and only disruption of gpa3 caused a discernible phenotype. gpa3 mutant strains were unable to respond to pheromone and thus were mating-deficient. A constitutively active allele of gpa3 (gpa3(Q206L)) was generated by site-directed mutagenesis. Haploid strains harbouring gpa3(Q206L) were able to mate without pheromone stimulation, indicating that Gpa3 plays an active role in transmission of the pheromone signal. Surprisingly, Gpa3 is also required for pathogenic development, although pheromone signalling is not essential for this process.
在植物致病真菌玉蜀黍黑粉菌中,细胞融合受一种信息素信号系统调控。信息素受体属于与异源三聚体G蛋白偶联的七跨膜类受体。我们分离出了四个编码G蛋白α亚基的基因(gpa1至gpa4)。Gpa1、Gpa2和Gpa3在其他真菌物种中有同源物,而Gpa4是新发现的。单个基因的缺失突变体是可存活的,只有gpa3的破坏会导致可识别的表型。gpa3突变菌株无法对信息素作出反应,因此存在交配缺陷。通过定点诱变产生了gpa3的组成型活性等位基因(gpa3(Q206L))。携带gpa3(Q206L)的单倍体菌株能够在没有信息素刺激的情况下交配,这表明Gpa3在信息素信号传递中起积极作用。令人惊讶的是,尽管信息素信号传导对于这个过程不是必需的,但致病发育也需要Gpa3。