Effect of plant lectins on Ustilago maydis in vitro

Ustilago maydis is an edible parasitic basidiomycete, which specifically in fects corn (Zea mays) and teocintle (Z, diploperennis). To characterise the interaction between the basidiomycete and its host organism, we tested the effect of plant lectins with well-known sugar specificity on the growth an d germination of U. maydis spores. Lectins specific for N-acetyl-D-galactos amine, such as those from Dolichos biflorus and Phaseolus lunatus, and the wheatgerm agglutinin specific for N-acetyl-D-glucosamine inhibited spore ge rmination, but were ineffective in modifying U, maydis cell growth. The gal actose-specific lectin from the corn coleoptyle inhibited both, germination and cell growth, while the lectin concanavalin A (mannose/glucose specific ) activated spore germination and growth. Our results suggest that specific saccharide-containing receptors participate in regulating the growth and m aturation of U. maydis spores.