Comparative analysis of cross kingdom RNA transfer in smut/plant pathosystems

黑穗病/植物病理系统中跨界RNA转移的比较分析

• 批准号: 447523774
• 负责人: Professor Dr. Michael Feldbrügge
• 金额: --
• 依托单位: Institut für Mikrobiologie
• 依托单位国家: 德国
• 项目类别: Research Units
• 资助国家: 德国
• 项目状态: 未结题
• 来源: https://gepris.dfg.de/gepris/projekt/447523774?language=en
• 关键词: Comparative; analysis; cross; kingdom; RNA

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are potent vehicles for RNA delivery mediating for example the intensive communication between microbes and their host plants. We will study this novel RNA trafficking process from the perspective of two smut fungi with distinct host specificities. Ustilago maydis causes smut disease in corn and serves as an established and amenable model for intracellular RNA transport. Thecaphora thlaspeos infects Brassicaceae species including the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, which facilitates in-depth examination of the interaction from the plant side. Interestingly, U. maydis has lost its RNAi machinery, while it is still present in T. thlaspeos. By following a comparative approach, we will benefit from the relative strengths of both pathosystems. Thus, we are in a unique position for a detailed analysis of EV-delivered RNA from related fungi to identify common themes. Differences will give insights into host specialisation and the employment of the RNAi machinery in the infection process. We will examine both the sRNA and mRNA cargos of fungal EVs to determine their relative biological significance. In order to reach our goals, we will (i) generate a detailed inventory of the RNA and protein content of smut EVs, (ii) study the functional relevance of the EV-mediated RNA transfer as well as (iii) investigate the underlying mechanism of selection and loading of RNAs in EVs. This strategy will clarify the question of how RNA contributes to smut-host communication. The comparative analysis of related smuts with the diverse pathogens and symbionts studied in our research unit will uncover both highly conserved core components as well as life-style or host-specific adaptations. Gained insights will guide novel approaches to target pathogens by RNA-mediated defence strategies.

细胞外囊泡（EV）是用于RNA递送的有效载体，其介导例如微生物与其宿主植物之间的密集通信。我们将从两种具有不同宿主特异性的黑穗病真菌的角度研究这种新的RNA运输过程。玉米黑粉菌在玉米中引起黑穗病，并作为细胞内RNA运输的已建立且可操作的模型。Thecaphora thlaspeos感染包括模式植物拟南芥（Arabidopsis thaliana）在内的拟南芥科物种，这有助于从植物方面深入研究相互作用。有趣的是，U。maydis已经失去了它的RNAi机制，而它仍然存在于T. thlaspeos。通过比较的方法，我们将受益于两种病理系统的相对优势。因此，我们处于一个独特的位置，可以详细分析来自相关真菌的EV递送RNA，以确定共同的主题。差异将使我们深入了解宿主的专业化和RNAi机制在感染过程中的应用。我们将检查真菌EV的sRNA和mRNA货物，以确定它们的相对生物学意义。为了达到我们的目标，我们将（i）生成黑穗病EV的RNA和蛋白质含量的详细清单，（ii）研究EV介导的RNA转移的功能相关性以及（iii）研究EV中RNA选择和加载的潜在机制。这一策略将澄清RNA如何促进黑穗病宿主通讯的问题。在我们的研究单位中研究的不同病原体和共生体的相关黑粉病的比较分析将揭示高度保守的核心成分以及生活方式或宿主特异性适应。所获得的见解将指导新的方法，通过RNA介导的防御策略靶向病原体。