mRNA Inventory of Extracellular Vesicles from Ustilago maydis

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) can transfer diverse RNA cargo for intercellular communication. EV-associated RNAs have been found in fungi and were proposed to be relevant pathogenesis animal hosts. In plant-pathogen interactions, small are exchanged a cross-kingdom RNAi warfare EVs considered delivery mechanism. To extend the search molecules involved communication, we characterised repertoire of mRNAs secreted by maize smut pathogen, Ustilago maydis. For this initial survey, examined EV-enriched fractions from axenic filamentous cultures that mimic infectious hyphae. resistant degradation RNases presence intact was evident. The set enriched inside relative fungal cells functionally distinct those depleted EVs. encoding metabolic enzymes particularly enriched. Intriguingly, some known effectors other proteins linked virulence also Furthermore, several upregulated during infection, suggesting may participate interactions.