The occurrence and characterization of a common antigen relationship between Ustilago maydis and Zea mays

• Published in: Physiological plant pathology Vol. 1; no. 4; pp. 523,IN5,529 - 528,IN6,535
• Main Authors: Wimalajeewa, D.L.S., DeVay, J.E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.01.1971
• Subjects: corn
• ISSN: 0048-4059
• DOI: 10.1016/0048-4059(71)90014-2

Antigenic determinants of Ustilago maydis and Zea mays (corn) were compared to see if they contained common antigens. A pair of compatible haploid lines (10A 4 and 17D 4) and two diploid solopathogenic lines (410 qq and 132) of the fungus were used that were highly virulent on the inbred corn selection B-164 which was also used in the serological studies. Hordeum vulgare (barley) var. “California Mariout” and Avena sativa (oat) var. “Victory” were used as “resistant” hosts. Serological comparisons of corn, barley and oat with the lines of Ustilago maydis showed that corn and all Ustilago maydis lines shared certain antigens in common; that a strong antigenic relationship existed between the solopathogenic line 132 and 3-day-old oat seedlings (the antigenic relationship of line 132 with 6-week-old oat seedlings was, however, much weaker); that barley did not have any antigens in common with any of the Ustilago maydis lines tested; and that antigenic comparison of the four lines of Ustilago maydis used did not indicate any qualitatively significant serological differences among them. The common antigens between corn and the smut lines 17D 4 and 132 were associated with their ribosomes. In corn and line 17D 4 the common antigens appeared in the protein components of their ribosomes. The implications of these findings are discussed in the light of current concepts on the functional role of the ribosome.