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Eukaryot Cell

Title:		The Gbeta-subunit-encoding gene bpp1 controls cyclic-AMP signaling in Ustilago maydis
Author(s):		Muller P; Leibbrandt A; Teunissen H; Cubasch S; Aichinger C; Kahmann R;
Address:		"Institute of Genetics and Microbiology, Ludwig-Maximilans-Universitat-Munchen, Munich, Germany"
Journal Title:		Eukaryot Cell
Year:		2004
Volume:		3
Issue:		3
Page Number:		806 - 814
DOI:		10.1128/EC.3.3.806-814.2004
ISSN/ISBN:		1535-9778 (Print) 1535-9786 (Electronic) 1535-9786 (Linking)
Abstract:		"In the phytopathogenic fungus Ustilago maydis, fusion of haploid cells is a prerequisite for infection. This process is controlled by a pheromone-receptor system. The receptors belong to the seven-transmembrane class that are coupled to heterotrimeric G proteins. Of four Galpha subunits in U. maydis, only gpa3 has a function during mating and cyclic AMP (cAMP) signaling. Activation of the cAMP cascade induces pheromone gene expression; however, it does not lead to the induction of conjugation tubes seen after pheromone stimulation. To investigate the possibility that a Gbeta subunit participates in pheromone signaling, we isolated the single beta subunit gene, bpp1, from U. maydis. bpp1 deletion mutants grew filamentously and showed attenuated pheromone gene expression, phenotypes associated with deltagpa3 strains. In addition, a constitutively active allele of gpa3 suppressed the phenotype of the bpp1 deletion strains. We suggest that Bpp1 and Gpa3 are components of the same heterotrimeric G protein acting on adenylyl cyclase. Interestingly, while deltagpa3 strains are impaired in pathogenicity, deltabpp1 mutants are able to induce plant tumors. This could indicate that Gpa3 operates independently of Bpp1 during pathogenic development"
Keywords:		"Alleles Cloning, Molecular Cyclic AMP/*metabolism Fungal Proteins/genetics/*metabolism Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal/*genetics Heterotrimeric GTP-Binding Proteins/genetics/*metabolism Mutation/genetics Pheromones/metabolism Phylogeny Signal Transduct;"
Notes:		"MedlineMuller, Philip Leibbrandt, Andreas Teunissen, Hedwich Cubasch, Stephanie Aichinger, Christian Kahmann, Regine eng Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't 2004/06/11 Eukaryot Cell. 2004 Jun; 3(3):806-14. doi: 10.1128/EC.3.3.806-814.2004"