The role of mating genes in the speciation processes of smut fungi

高度特异性的植物寄生虫的进化，如黑穗病真菌，与其寄主植物的进化密切相关。对担子菌属植物寄生虫的模式生物黑穗病菌的研究揭示了黑穗病真菌交配与感染之间的遗传联系。这两个交配位点调控着词典的发育和感染过程。因此，与其他系统相比，黑穗病真菌中寄生虫/宿主相互作用、宿主特异性和物种形成的进化联系更紧密。这项研究将集中于参与交配早期过程的基因的进化，并分析进化对不同物种特化的影响。对与交配和侵染有关的基因的系统发育、替代率和结构进化的分析将为黑穗病真菌的进化提供新的认识。从而有助于对植物寄生物及其寄主的共同进化的认识。

The evolution of highly specific plant parasites, such as the smut fungi, is closely linked to the evolution of their host plants. Studies of Ustilago maydis - the model organism of basidiomycetous plant parasites - have revealed a genetic link between mating and infection in smut fungi. The two mating loci regulate the development of the dicaryon and the infection process. Therefore, the evolution of parasite/host interaction, host specificity, and speciation are closer linked in smut fungi than in other systems. This study will concentrate on the evolution of the genes involved in the early processes of mating and analyse the evolutionary impact on specialisation of different species. The analysis of phylogeny, substitution rates, and structural evolution of genes related to mating and infection will provide new insight into the evolution of smut fungi. Thus we will contribute to the understanding of coevolution of plant parasites and their hosts.