Ustilago maydis Viruses and Their Killer Toxins

Alexis Williams, Thomas J. Smith

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

The dsRNA viruses that persistently infect Ustilago maydis are members of the family Totiviridae. In a symbiotic manner, the virus genomes encode ‘killer toxins’ that are secreted by the host and attack strains of U. maydis that are not infected by that viral strain. Three strains of U. maydis have been identified that secrete the KP1, KP4, and KP6 toxins. These toxins do not share significant sequence similarity amongst themselves or with the killer toxins from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. All three toxins appear to have distinct atomic structures and modes of action. KP4 blocks calcium channels while KP6 causes lysis by an unknown mechanism.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationEncyclopedia of Virology
Subtitle of host publicationVolume 1-5, Fourth Edition
PublisherElsevier
Pages513-519
Number of pages7
Volume1-5
ISBN (Electronic)9780128145166
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2020
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Killer toxins
  • Totiviruses
  • Ustilago maydis
  • dsRNA viruses

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