The life cycle of Ustilago maydis involves alternation of a haploid saprophytic yeast-like stage and a dikaryotic hyphal virulent form. Under in vitro conditions, basidiocarps are formed. Analysis of the transcriptional network of basidiocarp formation revealed the possible involvement of a Tec transcription factor (Tec1, UMAG_02835) in the process. In some Ascomycota, Tec factors are involved in mycelial formation, pathogenesis, and interaction with other regulatory elements, but their role in Basidiomycota species is almost unknown. Accordingly, we proceeded to determine the role of this gene in U. maydis by its mutation. Tec1 was found to be a crucial factor for normal mating, basidiocarp development, and virulence, all of the functions related to the dikaryotic stage dependent of the b genes, whereas dimorphism and resistance to different stress conditions occurring in the haploid stage were not affected in tec1 mutants. The observation that mutants showed a low residual wild-type phenotype suggests the presence of a secondary mechanism that partially compensates the loss of Tec1.

黑粉虱的生命周期涉及单倍体腐生酵母样阶段和双核菌丝毒性形式的交替。在体外条件下，形成担子果。对担子果形成的转录网络的分析揭示了 Tec 转录因子（Tec1，UMAG_02835）可能参与该过程。在一些子囊菌门中，Tec 因子参与菌丝体的形成、发病机制以及与其他调节元件的相互作用，但它们在担子菌门中的作用几乎是未知的。因此，我们着手确定该基因在U. maydis中的作用通过它的突变。Tec1 被发现是正常交配、担子果发育和毒力的关键因素，所有与双核阶段相关的功能都依赖于b基因，而在单倍体阶段发生的二态性和对不同应激条件的抗性在tec1突变体。观察到突变体显示出低残留的野生型表型表明存在部分补偿 Tec1 损失的次要机制。