The mRNA stability factor Khd4 defines a specific mRNA regulon for membrane trafficking in the pathogen Ustilago maydis

Original Publication

Sankaranarayanan S, Haag C, Petzsch P, Köhrer K, Matuszyńska A, Zarnack K, Feldbrügge M. The mRNA stability factor Khd4 defines a specific mRNA regulon for membrane trafficking in the pathogen Ustilago maydis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2023 Aug 22;120(34):e2301731120. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2301731120. Epub 2023 Aug 17. PMID: 37590419; PMCID: PMC10450656.

https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2301731120

Abstract

Fungal pathogens depend on sophisticated gene expression programs for successful infection. A crucial component is RNA regulation mediated by RNA- binding proteins (RBPs). However, little is known about the spatiotemporal RNA control mechanisms during fungal pathogenicity. Here, we discover that the RBP Khd4 defines a distinct mRNA regulon to orchestrate membrane trafficking during pathogenic development of Ustilago maydis. By establishing hyperTRIBE for fungal RBPs, we generated a com-prehensive transcriptome- wide map of Khd4 interactions in vivo. We identify a defined set of target mRNAs enriched for regulatory proteins involved, e.g., in GTPase sign-aling. Khd4 controls the stability of target mRNAs via its cognate regulatory element AUACCC present in their 3′ untranslated regions. Studying individual examples reveals a unique link between Khd4 and vacuole maturation. Thus, we uncover a distinct role for an RNA stability factor defining a specific mRNA regulon for membrane trafficking during pathogenicity.

License

Copyright © 2023 the Author(s). Published by PNAS. This article is distributed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives License 4.0 (CC BY-NC-ND).