Il Fusarium verticillioides (Fv) causa il marciume rosa della spiga e contamina le cariossidi con fumonisine, una famiglia di micotossine che colpisce mangimi e alimenti considerata cancerogena per l'uomo e gli animali. Sono stati condotti diversi studi per identificare i geni del mais associati alla resistenza della pianta ospite all'infezione da Fv e l'accumulo di fumonisina. È noto che le ossilipine regolano la difesa contro i patogeni e che il cross-talk lipidico ospite-patogeno influenza la patogenesi. A questo proposito, i mutanti di mais trasposonici del gene ZmLOX4, la linea suscettibile W22 e la resistente TZI18 sono stati testati per la resistenza a Fv mediante il saggio biologico Rolled Towel Assay (RTA). Inoltre, sono stati studiati i profili di espressione di 16 geni coinvolti nella via LOX e volatili verdi (GLV) e l'attività della lipossigenasi è stata analizzata nelle stesse linee. Inoltre, è stata applicata la tecnologia di modifica del genoma di Clustered Shortspeed Palindromic Repeat / Cas9 associato (CRISPR / Cas9) regolarmente esaminata per indagare le possibili implicazioni del gene ZmLOX6 e del fattore di trascrizione ZmWRKY125 nei meccanismi di resistenza contro Fv. L'espressione di questi geni è stata precedentemente osservata dagli esperimenti di RNA - Seq in genotipi resistenti al mais e Studi di Genome Wide Association (GWAS) che hanno portato a un SNP significativamente associato a ZmWRKY125. Inoltre, il gene ZmLOX4 è stato overespresso nella linea A188 per valutare un possibile miglioramento della resistenza alla malattia verso Fv. Il lavoro molecolare del CRISPR si basa su una doppia clonazione utilizzando due diverse single guide RNA (sgRNA) per un bersaglio genico. I costrutti sotto il promotore ZmpUBI nel vettore binario p1609 sono stati trasformati nella linea A188 utilizzando la trasformazione mediata da Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Le piante di mais modificate nei geni ZmLOX6 e ZmWRKY125 e ZmLOX4 che sovraesprimono saranno caratterizzate per RTA, prove sperimentali in campo e per il loro contenuto di fumonisina. Inoltre, saranno testati l’attività lipossigenasica totale, i suoi metaboliti derivati ​​e le osslipine, oltre all'analisi dell'espressione dei principali geni coinvolti nella via dell'acido jasmonico. / Fusarium verticillioides (Fv) causes ear rot in maize and contaminates the kernels with fumonisins, a family of mycotoxins that affects feed and food and considered carcinogenic for humans and animals. Several studies were conducted to identify maize genes associated with host plant resistance to Fv infection and fumonisin accumulation. It is known that plant lipoxygenase (LOX)-derived oxylipins regulate defense against pathogens and that the host-pathogen lipid cross-talk influences the pathogenesis. In this regard, maize mutants carrying Mu insertions in the ZmLOX4 gene, the susceptible W22 and the resistant TZI18 lines were tested for Fv resistance by the screening method rolled towel assay (RTA). Additionally, the expression profiles of 16 genes involved in the LOX and green leaves volatiles (GLV) pathway were studied and the lipoxygenase activity was investigated in the same lines as well. Furthermore, the genome editing technology of Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeat/associated Cas9 (CRISPR/Cas9) was applied in order to investigate the possible implication of the lipoxygenase gene ZmLOX6 and the transcription factor ZmWRKY125 in the resistance mechanisms against Fv. The enhanced expression of these genes was previously observed by RNA - Seq experiments in maize resistant genotypes and Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS) resulted in one SNP significantly associated with ZmWRKY125. Moreover, the gene ZmLOX4 was over-expressed in the line A188 for evaluating a possible improvement of the disease resistance towards Fv. The CRISPR cloning was based on a double cloning using two different guides (sgRNA) for one gene target. The constructs under the maize promoter ZmpUBI in the binary vector p1609 were transformed into the maize A188 line using Agrobacterium tumefaciens mediated transformation. Maize plants edited in the genes ZmLOX6 and ZmWRKY125, and over-expressing ZmLOX4 will be characterized for Fv resistance using rolled towel assay, field assay and for their fumonisin content. Furthermore, the content of jasmonic acid, its derivative metabolites, and oxylipins will be tested, as well as the expression analysis of the main genes involved in the jasmonic acid pathway will be performed.

Studies of the evolution of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) have been central to the understanding sexual selection and pathogen-mediated selection. The European badger Meles meles is well suited for exploring such questions because of its life history characteristics, reproductive biology and mating system. In this thesis, I examined both MHC class I and class II genes. Seven putatively functional sequences were found for class I genes and four for class II DRB genes. Evidence of past balancing selection of both genes was demonstrated by the d_Nd_S ratio, by positive selection at the antigen-binding site (ABS) and by trans-species polymorphism of alleles within other mustelids and carnivores. MHC class I genes also showed evidence of concerted evolution, but domains showed different evolutionary histories. MHC genes may influence microbiota and odour of an individual and influence mating preferences. I examined the bacterial community of the subcaudal gland secretion and demonstrated a high number of bacterial species (56 operational taxonomic units), which cubs exhibited a higher diversity than adults. The microbiota may lead to an individual-specific odour as a cue signaling the MHC genotype of potential mating partners. I report the first evidence for a MHC- based mating preference in carnivores. Female badgers showed a MHC-assortative mate choice towards breeding with males that had functionally similar MHC genes, for MHC class II DRB genes. This applied to neighbouring-group matings. I also found considerable annual fluctuation in the occurrence of MHC-based mate choice. Based on genome-wide background in the same mating randomizations I found no evidence of inbreeding, which indicated that MHC similarity was apparently the actual target of mate choice. In line with MHC-assortative mate choice, MHC heterozygosity had no influence on the co-infection status. Individual MHC alleles did, however, associate with resistance and susceptibility to specific pathogens, suggesting that MHC diversity may be driven and maintained by pathogen-mediated selection through rare-allele advantages and/or fluctuating selection. My study of genetic characteristics, mate choice and pathogen pressures in a wild population revealed past and contemporary evolutionary process of the MHC genes. This increases knowledge of how the MHC may affect mating behaviour and sexual selection, ultimately influencing population processes.

Cyclic nucleotide-gated channels (CNGCs) are non-selective cation channels that were first identified in vertebrate photosensory and olfactory neurons. Although the physiological roles and biophysical properties of animal CNGCs have been well studied, much less is known about these channels in plants. The Arabidopsis genome encodes twenty putative CNGC subunits that are postulated to form channel complexes that mediate various physiological processes involving abiotic and biotic stress responses, ion homeostasis and development. The identification of Arabidopsis autoimmune CNGC mutants, such as defense no death class (dnd1 and dnd2), and the constitutive expressor of pathogenesis related genes 22 (cpr22) implicate AtCNGC2, 4, 11 and 12 in plant immunity. Here, I present a comprehensive study of the molecular mechanisms involved in CNGC-mediated signaling pathways with emphasis on pathogen defense. Previously, a forward genetics approach aimed to identify suppressor mutants of the rare gain-of-function autoimmune mutant, cpr22, identified key residues that are important for CNGC subunit interactions and channel function. First, I present a structure-function analysis of one of these suppressor mutants (S58) that revealed a key residue in the cyclic nucleotide binding domain involved in the stable regulation of CNGCs. Second, I present a new suppressor screen using AtCNGC2 T-DNA knockout mutants that specifically aimed to identify novel downstream components of CNGC-mediated pathogen defense signaling. In this screen, I successfully isolated and characterized the novel Arabidopsis mutant, repressor of defense no death 1 (rdd1), and expanded this study to demonstrate its involvement in AtCNGC2 and AtCNGC4-mediated signal transduction. Additionally, I demonstrated for the first time, the physical interaction of AtCNGC2 and AtCNGC4 subunits in planta. The findings presented in this thesis broaden our current knowledge of CNGCs in plants, and provide a new foundation for future elucidation of the structure-function relationships and signal transduction mediated by these channels.

Cyclic nucleotide-gated channels (CNGCs) are non-selective cation channels that were first identified in vertebrate photosensory and olfactory neurons. Although the physiological roles and biophysical properties of animal CNGCs have been well studied, much less is known about these channels in plants. The Arabidopsis genome encodes twenty putative CNGC subunits that are postulated to form channel complexes that mediate various physiological processes involving abiotic and biotic stress responses, ion homeostasis and development. The identification of Arabidopsis autoimmune CNGC mutants, such as defense no death class (dnd1 and dnd2), and the constitutive expressor of pathogenesis related genes 22 (cpr22) implicate AtCNGC2, 4, 11 and 12 in plant immunity. Here, I present a comprehensive study of the molecular mechanisms involved in CNGC-mediated signaling pathways with emphasis on pathogen defense. Previously, a forward genetics approach aimed to identify suppressor mutants of the rare gain-of-function autoimmune mutant, cpr22, identified key residues that are important for CNGC subunit interactions and channel function. First, I present a structure-function analysis of one of these suppressor mutants (S58) that revealed a key residue in the cyclic nucleotide binding domain involved in the stable regulation of CNGCs. Second, I present a new suppressor screen using AtCNGC2 T-DNA knockout mutants that specifically aimed to identify novel downstream components of CNGC-mediated pathogen defense signaling. In this screen, I successfully isolated and characterized the novel Arabidopsis mutant, repressor of defense no death 1 (rdd1), and expanded this study to demonstrate its involvement in AtCNGC2 and AtCNGC4-mediated signal transduction. Additionally, I demonstrated for the first time, the physical interaction of AtCNGC2 and AtCNGC4 subunits in planta. The findings presented in this thesis broaden our current knowledge of CNGCs in plants, and provide a new foundation for future elucidation of the structure-function relationships and signal transduction mediated by these channels.