We describe a robust gene replacement strategy to genetically manipulate the smut fungus Ustilago maydis. This protocol explains how to generate deletion mutants to investigate infection phenotypes. It can be extended to modify genes in any desired way, e.g., by adding a sequence encoding a fluorescent protein tag.
Bösch, K., Frantzeskakis, L., Vraneš, M., Kämper, J., Schipper, K., Göhre, V. Genetic Manipulation of the Plant Pathogen Ustilago maydis to Study Fungal Biology and Plant Microbe Interactions. J. Vis. Exp. (115), e54522, doi:10.3791/54522 (2016).