Our Work at UMAydis@IPMB

Maize AFP1 boosts fungal chitin levels by altering the activities of host cell-surface glycoproteins. This antifungal mechanism inhibits fungal cell development, blocks spore germination, and may prevent fungi from evading host recognition.

mBIO 2023. https://doi.org/10.1128/mbio.00093-23

The U. maydis PR1-like effector responds to plant phenolics by inducing hyphal branching, likely directing fungal hyphae toward phenolic-rich vascular bundles for nutrient acquisition. Additionally, it hijacks the maize CatB3 protease to release an immunosuppressive CAPE-like peptide, enhancing U. maydis virulence. 

Nat. Commun. 2023. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-41459-4.