Prof. Dr. Michael Feldbrügge

Fungal pathogens execute well-defined infection programs that are intensively regulated at the posttranscriptional level. RNA biology determines the precise timing and subcellular expression of the encoded proteins. We use the plant pathogen Ustilago maydis as a model to investigate how mRNA stability, mRNA transport and extracellular mRNA communication orchestrates plant infection. As part of Research Area 3, we are establishing optogenetic control and quantitative biosensors to investigate the regulation via RNA biology during intimate contact with the plant and its associated microbiome.

1. Sankaranarayanan S, Kwon S, Heimel K, Feldbrügge M (2023) The RNA world of fungal pathogens. PLoS Path 19(11):e1011762. doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011762.
2. Sankaranarayanan S, Haag C, Petzsch P, Kohrer K, Matuszynska A, Zarnack K, Feldbrugge M (2023) 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 120(34):e2301731120. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2301731120.
3. Devan SK, Schott-Verdugo S, Muntjes K, Bismar L, Reiners J, Hachani E, Schmitt L, Hoppner A, Smits SH, Gohlke H, Feldbrugge M (2022) A MademoiseLLE domain binding platform links the key RNA transporter to endosomes. PLoS Genet 18(6):e1010269. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010269.
4. Müntjes K, Devan SK, Reichert AS, Feldbrügge M (2021) Linking transport and translation of mRNAs with endosomes and mitochondria. EMBO reports 22(10):e52445. doi: 10.15252/embr.202152445.
5. Kwon S, Rupp O, Brachmann A, Blum CF, Kraege A, Goesmann A, Feldbrügge M (2021) mRNA Inventory of Extracellular Vesicles from Ustilago maydis. J Fungi (Basel) 7(7). doi: 10.3390/jof7070562.