The Translocation-Associated Tox1 Locus of Cochliobolus heterostrophus Is Two Genetic Elements on Two Different Chromosomes

Corresponding author: B. G. Turgeon, Department of Plant Pathology, 334 Plant Science Bldg., Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853., bgt1{at}cornell.edu (E-mail)

Communicating editor: R. H. DAVIS

Previously, Tox1 was defined as a single genetic element controlling the difference between races of Cochliobolus heterostrophus: race T is highly virulent on T-cytoplasm corn and produces the polyketide T-toxin; race O is weakly virulent and does not produce T-toxin. Here we report that Tox1 is two loci, Tox1A and Tox1B, on two different chromosomes. Evidence for two loci derives from: (1) the appearance of 25% Tox⁺ progeny in crosses between induced Tox1^- mutants, one defective at Tox1A, the other at Tox1B; (2) the ability of Tox1A^- + Tox1B^- heterokaryons to complement for T-toxin production; and (3) electrophoretic karyotypes proving that Tox1^- mutations are physically located on two different chromosomes. Data showing Tox1 as a single genetic element are reconciled with those proving it is two loci by the fact that Tox1 is inseparably linked to the breakpoints of a reciprocal translocation; the translocation results in a four-armed linkage group. In crosses where the translocation is heterozygous (i.e., race T by race O), all markers linked to the four-armed intersection appear linked to each other; in crosses between induced Tox1^- mutants, complications due to the translocation are eliminated and the two loci segregate independently.

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