Mapping and analysis of the infection-related dynamics of active DNA regions in the genome of Colletotrichum graminicola.

• Applicant: Dr. Ralf Horbach
• Subject Area: Plant Breeding and Plant Pathology
• Term: from 2012 to 2017
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 219188042

The plant pathogenic ascomycete Colletotrichum graminicola causes substantial yield losses in maize cultivation worldwide. In addition to the economic importance, C. graminicola has been established as a model organism in plant pathology with respect to the hemibiotrophic infection strategy. Thus, the fungus represents the genus Colletotrichum whose numerous plant pathogens infect a broad range of agronomically important crops and fruits.Pathogenic development of the C. graminicola is featured by drastic morphological and physiological changes. Successful infection depends on recognition of the host surface and attachment, spore germination, formation of an appressorium, manipulation of host defense and sink-source relations by secreted effectors as well as differentiation of invasive necrotrophic hyphae.In many eukaryotic organisms, differentiation is controlled by epigenetic regulation via condensation of chromatin which directly affects transcriptional activity of developmental genes. It is still largely unknown whether this dynamic process is also involved in the infection-related morphogenesis of fungal pathogens or the expression of virulence genes.Using FAIREseq (Formaldehyde-Assisted Isolation of Regulatory Elements), we aim at identifying and following the dynamics of euchromatin in the genome of C. graminicola during pathogenic development in maize. The objective of the current project is the identification of epigenetically regulated genes and genomic regions that are important for establishing and maintaining a compatible host-pathogen interaction.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Co-Investigator: Professor Dr. Holger B. Deising