Skip to main content
ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #224743
Title: Characterization of Aspergillus section Nigri group-maize interactions by a green fluorescent protein-tagging approach

Author
item PALENCIA, EDWIN - PLANT PATH/UGA, ATHENS
item Glenn, Anthony - Tony
item Bacon, Charles

Submitted to: Phytopathology
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/6/2008
Publication Date: 7/26/2008
Citation: Palencia, E.R., Glenn, A.E., Bacon, C.W. 2008. Characterization of Aspergillus section Nigri group-maize interactions by a green fluorescent protein-tagging approach. Phytopathology. July 26 - 30, 2008. Minneapolis, MN.

Interpretive Summary: Abstract - no summary required.

Technical Abstract: Ochratoxin A, produced by some members of the Aspergillus section Nigri group, is a potent nephrotoxic and a potential carcinogenic mycotoxin. Two members of this group A. niger and A. carbonarius are notorious ochratoxin producers in plant substrates, including corn, coffee, grapes, onions, and peanut. However, little information on the nature of the interactions between these black-spored aspergilli and their plant hosts that lead to the accumulation of ochratoxin A is still unknown. Here we report the use of a green fluorescent protein (gfp) tagging approach to monitor the early interactions between A. niger and A. carbonarius gfp-expressing transgenic isolates and a maize line. Protoplasts from isolates were transformed by homologous conjugation by using a transformation vector pCT74 which contains SGFP from a ToxA promoter and a hygromycin gene as selective agent. The constitutive gfp expression on transgenic isolates were monitoring by confocal microscopy. Our results showed that both A. niger and A. carbonarius can endophytically infect maize tissues.