Objective The rice blast fungus M. oryzae has emerged as a paradigm for the understanding of fungal aerial attack. M. oryzae also infect roots. Consequently, M. oryzae-rice interaction represents an excellent pathosystem for comparative studies of the distinct organ-specific mechanisms that occur during fungal colonisation of rice leaves and roots. We have characterised two pathogenicity-deficient mutants in M. oryzae lacking the karyopherin Msn5p/EXP5 [Plant Cell 22, 953 (2010)] and a novel RNA-binding protein (RBP35) present exclusively in filamentous fungi [PLoS Pathogens, under review]. This project aims to investigate both organ-specific and pos-transcriptional mechanisms that regulate the ability of M. oryzae to infect rice using the resources generated previously in my group. The work outlined in this proposal will extend this area of research through:1. Deep sequencing experiments using infected rice leaves and roots with a wild-type M. oryzae strain to follow changes in gene expression in the fungus and in the host plant.2. Tandem affinity purification experiments using EXP5-tagged with HA-FLAG to identify proteins and RNAs that directly interact with EXP5.3. Tandem affinity purification experiments using highly conserved proteins of the M. oryzae polyadenylation machinery to identify additional protein components and use a combination of SELEX and bioinformatic approaches to discover alternative polyadenylation signals in M. oryzae genes.4. In vivo visualisation of infection-related mRNAs including fungal effectors using the lambdaN/GFP system to analyse the involvement of RBP35 in mRNA transport and/or localisation.At present there is a lack of knowledge of the EXP5 cargoes in filamentous fungi and very little is known about the post-transcriptional mechanisms that regulate fungal plant infection. Further, this research will open exciting avenues about local control of translation of proteins significant for M. oryzae plant invasion (fungal effectors). Fields of science natural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesproteinsnatural sciencesbiological sciencesmicrobiologymycologynatural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsRNA Programme(s) FP7-PEOPLE - Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) FP7-PEOPLE-2011-CIG - Marie-Curie Action: "Career Integration Grants" Call for proposal FP7-PEOPLE-2011-CIG See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MC-CIG - Support for training and career development of researcher (CIG) Coordinator UNIVERSIDAD POLITECNICA DE MADRID EU contribution € 100 000,00 Address CALLE RAMIRO DE MAEZTU 7 EDIFICIO RECTORADO 28040 Madrid Spain See on map Region Comunidad de Madrid Comunidad de Madrid Madrid Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Gonzalo Leon (Prof.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data
