Characterization of Secreted Effector Proteins, Their Potential Host Targets, and Localization in a Heterologous Host Plant.

is an obligate fungal species colonizing the plant host, . The fungus synthesizes and secretes effector proteins into the plant host during infection to manipulate the host for completion of the fungal lifecycle. The goal of this study was to continue functional characterization of such effectors.

Using machine learning to predict protein-protein interactions between a zombie ant fungus and its carpenter ant host.

Parasitic fungi produce proteins that modulate virulence, alter host physiology, and trigger host responses. These proteins, classified as a type of "effector," often act via protein-protein interactions (PPIs). The fungal parasite Ophiocordyceps camponoti-floridani (zombie ant fungus) manipulates Camponotus floridanus (carpenter ant) behavior to promote transmission.

Mechanisms behind the Madness: How Do Zombie-Making Fungal Entomopathogens Affect Host Behavior To Increase Transmission?

Transmission is a crucial step in all pathogen life cycles. As such, certain species have evolved complex traits that increase their chances to find and invade new hosts. Fungal species that hijack insect behaviors are evident examples.

Cause and Effectors: Whole-Genome Comparisons Reveal Shared but Rapidly Evolving Effector Sets among Host-Specific Plant-Castrating Fungi.

Plant pathogens utilize a portfolio of secreted effectors to successfully infect and manipulate their hosts. It is, however, still unclear whether changes in secretomes leading to host specialization involve mostly effector gene gains/losses or changes in their sequences. To test these hypotheses, we compared the secretomes of three host-specific castrating anther smut fungi (), two being sister species.

Identification and Initial Characterization of the Effectors of an Anther Smut Fungus and Potential Host Target Proteins.

(1) Background: Plant pathogenic fungi often display high levels of host specificity and biotrophic fungi; in particular, they must manipulate their hosts to avoid detection and to complete their obligate pathogenic lifecycles. One important strategy of such fungi is the secretion of small proteins that serve as effectors in this process. is a species complex whose members infect members of the Caryophyllaceae; , a parasite on , is one of the best studied interactions.