A linear plasmid in Tilletia controversa, a fungal pathogen of wheat

Abstract
A linear 7.4-kilobase plasmid designated pTCT was isolated from mycelium of Tilletia controversa Kühn, the causal agent of dwarf bunt of wheat. Linearity was determined by construction of a physical map using eight restriction enzymes and by both 5′ and 3′ exonuclease digestion. pTCT is not homologous to ribosomal genes, nor is it homologous to any sequences in the total DNA of sporidia of Ustilago hordei (isolates 965 and 966) or urediosporelings of Puccinia graminis f.sp. tritici (race C36(48)).