Analyses of expressed sequence tags from the maize foliar pathogen Cercospora zeae-maydis identify novel genes expressed during vegetative, infectious, and reproductive growth
2008

Identifying Genes in the Maize Pathogen Cercospora zeae-maydis

Sample size: 27551 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Bluhm Burton H, Dhillon Braham, Lindquist Erika A, Kema Gert HJ, Goodwin Stephen B, Dunkle Larry D

Primary Institution: Department of Plant Pathology, University of Arkansas

Hypothesis

What are the genes expressed during different growth stages of Cercospora zeae-maydis?

Conclusion

The study identified novel genes involved in growth, development, and pathogenesis in Cercospora zeae-maydis, which can be targeted for further research.

Supporting Evidence

  • The study generated 27,551 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) from five cDNA libraries.
  • Identified 4,619 putative unique genes, with 36% similar to known proteins.
  • Real-time PCR confirmed the differential expression of selected genes during growth stages.

Takeaway

Scientists studied a fungus that harms corn plants to find new genes that help it grow and cause disease.

Methodology

The study involved generating cDNA libraries from different growth conditions of the fungus and sequencing expressed sequence tags (ESTs).

Limitations

The study's findings may be limited by the quality and representativeness of the cDNA libraries constructed.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1471-2164-9-523

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