Identification and expression of the fungal central effector Pep1 in Thecaphora frezii

Abstract

Thecaphora frezii is a phytopathogenic fungus belonging to the Ustilaginomycetes class, which causes the
peanut smut disease. In its biological cycle it has three structures, teliospores (is the resistance structure),
basidiospores and hyphae. The mycelium (hyphae) is the infective structure, which penetrates the plant's
gynophore and initiates the infection. For this action, the expression of the Pep1 protein would be necessary
since it was identified in other Ustilaginomycetes such as Ustilago maydis and Ustilago hordei, which infect
corn and barley, respectively, and its expression is essential for this action.

We were able to amplify the Pep1 DNAc of Thecaphora frezii whose translated sequence would code for
a 180 amino acid protein. Great homologies with orthologous of other species and the presence of four
conserved cysteines were observed. In parallel, we measured the expression levels of this transcript, being
higher in the hyphae, coinciding with the infective stage of the fungus.
Future functional studies of gene inactivation of the pep1 gene should be carried out to phenotypically
verify the effect that this gene causes in peanut crops.