The development of new alternative platforms for subunit vaccine production is a priority in the biomedical field. In this study, Ustilago maydis, the causal agent of common corn smut or 'huitlacoche'has been genetically engineered to assess expression and immunogenicity of the B subunit of the cholera toxin (CTB), a relevant immunomodulatory agent in vaccinology. An oligomeric CTB recombinant ...

As the dominant component of the mycobiota on human skin [1] —both healthy and diseased [2] —the genus Malassezia has received a fair amount of attention. Since the middle of the 19th century, researchers have linked these fungi with skin maladies such as dandruff and eczema [3], but their difficulty to culture axenically long hampered studies of their systematics and diversity [4]. Malassezia ...

Four species of Balansia (clavicipitaceous systemic grass pathogens) isolated from pastures where cattle showed signs of ergot toxicity were grown in culture. Balansia epichloë, one isolate of B. claviceps, B. henningsiana and two isolates of B. strangulans produced conidia in submerged culture during the first stage of a two-stage fermentation procedure. When tranferred to a glucose/sorbitol/i...

Sugarcane plants produce heterofructans composed of homofructan domains consisting of β-1,2-fructofuranoside chains which intercalate variable-length segments of polygalactitol. Sometimes, these heterofructans appear as the glycosidic moiety of glycoproteins. They are produced as a response to mechanical injuries and pathogen infections. These glycoproteins act as a defense mechanism against sm...

ABSTRACT In the smut fungi, few features are available for use as taxonomic criteria (spore size, shape, morphology, germination type, and host range). DNA-based molecular techniques are useful in expanding the traits considered in determining relationships among these fungi. We examined the phylogenetic relationships among seven species of Ustilago (U. avenae, U. bullata, U. hordei, U. kolleri...

Several strains of Ustilago maydis, a causal agent of corn smut disease, exhibit a ‘killer’ phenotype that is due to persistent infection by double-stranded RNA Totiviruses. These viruses produce potent killer proteins that are secreted by the host. This is a rare example of virus/host symbiosis in that these viruses are dependent upon host survival and, to that end, produce antifungal proteins...