Small secreted proteins in male flower development and pathogenicity in maize.

Tassel and anther development in maize (Zea mays) are key processes to guarantee fertility and thus future yield stability. Moreover, these processes are also very sensitive to environmental stresses. Given that anthers lack a meristem, we hypothesize that small proteins coordinate growth and cellular behavior from inception, through meiosis, and finally pollen dispersal.
Novel small proteins that might be involved in the various developmental steps of anther and tassel development have been identified. Using the maize pathogen Ustilago maydis as a Trojan horse, but also the CRISPR/cas system and various cellular and biochemical methods functions of these small proteins/peptides are currently investigated.