M3.2: Interplay between fungal secondary metabolite formation, secretion of proteins and signal transduction

Gerhard Braus & James Kronstad

The fungal vascular plant pathogen Verticillium dahliae requires a complex transcriptional network for the initial contact with the host plant roots (Bui et al., New Phytologist, 2019). Signaling depends on the interplay between the pheromone MAP kinase pathway and the unfolded protein response of the fungus for pathogenicity (Starke et al., Journal of Fungi, 2021), which results in different media-dependent secretome responses (Leonard et al., Front Microbiol, 2020). Fungal pathogenicity and development require specific protein stability control mechanisms that are not yet well explored. We will determine fungal ubiquitination and deubiquitination mechanisms needed for the interplay between secondary metabolite formation, secretion and signal transduction. Additionally, the importance of the protein degradation machinery control for development and virulence of V. dahliae will be analysed (with Prof. James Kronstad, UBC).