Use of PCR to detect infection of differentially susceptible maize cultivars using Ustilago maydis strains of variable virulence Authors Alfredo D. Martínez-Espinoza Departamento de Ingeniería Genética, Unidad Irapuato, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Irapuato, México Claudia G. León-Ramírez Departamento de Ingeniería Genética, Unidad Irapuato, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Irapuato, México Nisha Singh Botany Department, University of Durban-Westville, South Africa José Ruiz-Herrera Departamento de Ingeniería Genética, Unidad Irapuato, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Irapuato, México Keywords: PCR detection, b locus Abstract Ustilago maydis was specifically detected in infected maize plants by means of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using oligonucleotides corresponding to a specific region downstream of the homeodomain of the bE genes of the pathogen. The reaction gave rise to amplification of a ca. 500-bp product when tested with U. maydis DNA, but no amplification was detected with DNA from fungi not related to U. maydis. Using these primers, U. maydis was detected in infected maize plants from differentially susceptible cultivars as early as 4 days after inoculation with strains of variable degrees of virulence. Detection of U. maydis at early stages of infection, or in asymptomatic infected plants should assist in studies on plant–pathogen interactions. Downloads PDF Published 2010-03-08 Issue Vol. 6 No. 2 (2003) Section Research Articles License Submission of a manuscript to International Microbiology implies: that the work described has not been published before, including publication in the World Wide Web (except in the form of an Abstract or as part of a published lecture, review, or thesis); that it is not under consideration for publication elsewhere; that all the coauthors have agreed to its publication. The corresponding author signs for and accepts responsability for releasing this material and will act on behalf of any and all coauthors regarding the editorial review and publication process.If an article is accepted for publication in International Microbiology, the authors (or other copyright holder) must transfer to the journal the right–not exclusive–to reproduce and distribute the article including reprints, translations, photographic reproductions, microform, electronic form (offline, online) or any other reproductions of similar nature. Nevertheless, all article in International Microbiology will be available on the Internet to any reader at no cost. The journal allows users to freely download, copy, print, distribute, search, and link to the full text of any article, provided the authorship and source of the published article is cited. The copyright owner's consent does not include copying for new works, or resale. In these cases, the specific written permission of International Microbiology must first be obtained.Authors are requested to create a link to the published article on the journal's website. The link must be accompanied by the following text: "The original publication is available on LINK at <http://www.im.microbios.org>. Please use the appropiate URL for the article in LINK. Articles disseminated via LINK are indexed, abstracted, and referenced by many abstracting and information services, bibliographic networks, subscription agencies, library networks, and consortia.
