Pathogen-triggered ethylene signaling mediates systemic-induced susceptibility to herbivory in Arabidopsis.

Multicellular eukaryotic organisms are attacked by numerous parasites from diverse phyla, often simultaneously or sequentially. An outstanding question in these interactions is how hosts integrate signals induced by the attack of different parasites. We used a model system comprised of the plant host Arabidopsis thaliana, the hemibiotrophic bacterial phytopathogen Pseudomonas syringae, and herbivorous larvae of the moth Trichoplusia ni (cabbage looper) to characterize mechanisms involved in systemic-induced susceptibility (SIS) to T.

When females produce sperm: genetics of C. elegans hermaphrodite reproductive choice.

Reproductive behaviors have manifold consequences on evolutionary processes. Here, we explore mechanisms underlying female reproductive choice in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, a species in which females have evolved the ability to produce their own self-fertilizing sperm, thereby allowing these "hermaphrodites" the strategic choice to self-reproduce or outcross with males. We report that hermaphrodites of the wild-type laboratory reference strain N2 favor self-reproduction, whereas a wild isolate CB4856 (HW) favors outcrossing.

Identification of a copper-inducible promoter for use in ectopic expression in the fungal pathogen Histoplasma capsulatum.

Despite the existence of a number of genetic tools to study the fungal pathogen Histoplasma capsulatum, strategies for conditional gene expression have not been developed. We used microarray analysis to identify genes that are transcriptionally induced or repressed by the addition of copper sulfate (CuSO(4)) to H. capsulatum yeast cultures.

Pseudomonas syringae manipulates systemic plant defenses against pathogens and herbivores.

Many pathogens are virulent because they specifically interfere with host defense responses and therefore can proliferate. Here, we report that virulent strains of the bacterial phytopathogen Pseudomonas syringae induce systemic susceptibility to secondary P. syringae infection in the host plant Arabidopsis thaliana.

Identifying phase-specific genes in the fungal pathogen Histoplasma capsulatum using a genomic shotgun microarray.

A fundamental feature of the fungal pathogen Histoplasma capsulatum is its ability to shift from a mycelial phase in the soil to a yeast phase in its human host. Each form plays a critical role in infection and disease, but little is understood about how these two morphologic phases are established and maintained. To identify phase-regulated genes of H.