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Yang N, Wu H, Tong Y, Liu Z, Li X, Huang B. The homeobox transcription factor MrHOX7 contributes to stress tolerance and virulence in the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium robertsii. J Invertebr Pathol 2024; 203:108071. [PMID: 38286328 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2024.108071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 01/31/2024]
Abstract
Entomopathogenic fungi, including Metarhizium species, represent promising environmentally friendly biopesticides. Understanding the molecular mechanisms governing their infection processes is vital for enhancing their effectiveness. Transcription factors (TFs) play critical roles in gene regulation, yet the functions of many TFs in M. robertsii remain unknown. Homeobox transcription factors, implicated in diverse cellular processes, have received limited attention in entomopathogenic fungi. Here, we identify and characterize, a homeobox TF, MrHOX7, in the model entomopathogenic fungus M. robertsii. Subcellular localization and transcriptional profiling revealed MrHOX7's nuclear localization and high expression during conidia and appressoria formation. Deletion of Mrhox7 (ΔMrhox7) enhanced conidial tolerance to heat and UV-B stress, accompanying with upregulated stress-related gene expression. Intriguingly, ΔMrhox7 exhibits inhibited virulence exclusively through topical inoculation. Further investigations unveiled reduced conidial adhesion and appressorium formation, with downregulation of the adhesion gene Mad1 and appressorium-related genes, as the underlying causes of the reduced fungal virulence. Our findings illuminate the role of MrHOX7 in stress tolerance and virulence, providing insights into the molecular basis of fungal biopesticides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ningning Yang
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Pest Control, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Hao Wu
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Pest Control, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China; School of Life Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Youmin Tong
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Pest Control, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Zhenbang Liu
- School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230022, China
| | - Xiaojuan Li
- Key Laboratory of State Forestry Administration on Prevention and Control of Pine Wood Nematode Disease, Anhui Academy of Forestry, Hefei 230088, China
| | - Bo Huang
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Pest Control, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China.
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Li J, Zhang Y, Jiao S, He L, Fan Y, Han X, Sun B, Zhao W, Mei Y, Wei N, Zeng H, Jin D. Bbhox2 is a key regulator for conidiation and virulence in Beauveria bassiana. J Invertebr Pathol 2024; 203:108059. [PMID: 38199517 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2024.108059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/07/2024] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Beauveria bassiana, a well-known filamentous biocontrol fungus, is the main pathogen of numerous field and forest pests. To explore the potential factors involved in the fungal pathogenicity, Bbhox2, an important and conserved functional transcription factor containing homeodomain was carried out by functional analysis. Homologous recombination was used to disrupt the Bbhox2 gene in B.bassiana. The conidia yield of the deletant fungal strain was significantly reduced. The conidial germination was faster, and stress tolerance to Congo red and high osmotic agents were decreased compared with that in the wildtype. Additionally, ΔBbhox2 showed a dramatic reduction in virulence no matter in topical inoculations or in intra-hemolymph injections against Galleria mellonella larvae, which is likely due to the failure of appressorium formation and the defect in producing hyphal body. These results indicate that the Bbhox2 gene markedly contributes to conidiation and pathogenicity in B. bassiana.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juanjuan Li
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, Southwest University, Beibei, Chongqing, China; Hubei Province Research Center of Engineering Technology for Utilization of Botanical Functional Ingredients, Hubei Key Laboratory of Quality Control of Characteristic Fruits and Vegetables, College of Life Science and Technology, Hubei Engineering University, Xiaogan, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, Southwest University, Beibei, Chongqing, China; School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Shouhao Jiao
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, Southwest University, Beibei, Chongqing, China
| | - Lian He
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, Southwest University, Beibei, Chongqing, China
| | - Yanhua Fan
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, Southwest University, Beibei, Chongqing, China
| | - Xuemeng Han
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, Southwest University, Beibei, Chongqing, China
| | - Binda Sun
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, Southwest University, Beibei, Chongqing, China
| | - Wenqi Zhao
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, Southwest University, Beibei, Chongqing, China
| | - Yanlin Mei
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, Southwest University, Beibei, Chongqing, China
| | - Ning Wei
- School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Haiyue Zeng
- School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Dan Jin
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, Southwest University, Beibei, Chongqing, China.
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Appressoria-Small but Incredibly Powerful Structures in Plant-Pathogen Interactions. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032141. [PMID: 36768468 PMCID: PMC9917257 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Plant-pathogenic fungi are responsible for many of the most severe crop diseases in the world and remain very challenging to control. Improving current protection strategies or designating new measures based on an overall understanding of molecular host-pathogen interaction mechanisms could be helpful for disease management. The attachment and penetration of the plant surface are the most important events among diverse plant-fungi interactions. Fungi evolved as small but incredibly powerful infection structure appressoria to facilitate attachment and penetration. Appressoria are indispensable for many diseases, such as rusts, powdery mildews, and blast diseases, as well as devastating oomycete diseases. Investigation into the formation of plant-pathogen appressoria contributes to improving the understanding of the molecular mechanisms of plant-pathogen interactions. Fungal host attachment is a vital step of fungal pathogenesis. Here, we review recent advances in the molecular mechanisms regulating the formation of appressoria. Additionally, some biocontrol agents were revealed to act on appressorium. The regulation of fungal adhesion during the infective process by acting on appressoria formation is expected to prevent the occurrence of crop disease caused by some pathogenic fungi.
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Fu T, Shin JH, Lee NH, Lee KH, Kim KS. Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase CsPMK1 Is Essential for Pepper Fruit Anthracnose by Colletotrichum scovillei. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:770119. [PMID: 35283826 PMCID: PMC8907736 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.770119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The phytopathogenic fungus Colletotrichum scovillei, belonging to the Colletotrichum acutatum species complex, causes severe anthracnose disease on several fruits, including chili pepper (Capsicum annuum). However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the development and pathogenicity of Colletotrichum scovillei are unclear. The conserved Fus3/Kss1-related MAPK regulates fungal development and pathogenicity. Here, the role of CsPMK1, orthologous to Fus3/Kss1, was characterized by phenotypic comparison of a target deletion mutant (ΔCspmk1). The mycelial growth and conidiation of ΔCspmk1 were normal compared to that of the wild type. ΔCspmk1 produced morphologically abnormal conidia, which were delayed in conidial germination. Germinated conidia of ΔCspmk1 failed to develop appressoria on inductive surfaces of hydrophobic coverslips and host plants. ΔCspmk1 was completely defective in infectious growth, which may result from failure to suppress host immunity. Furthermore, ΔCspmk1 was impaired in nuclear division and lipid mobilization during appressorium formation, in response to a hydrophobic surface. CsPMK1 was found to interact with CsHOX7, a homeobox transcription factor essential for appressorium formation, via a yeast two-hybridization analysis. Taken together, these findings suggest that CsPMK1 is required for fungal development, stress adaptation, and pathogenicity of C. scovillei.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teng Fu
- Division of Bio-Resource Sciences, BioHerb Research Institute, and Interdisciplinary Program in Smart Agriculture, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, South Korea
| | - Jong-Hwan Shin
- Division of Bio-Resource Sciences, BioHerb Research Institute, and Interdisciplinary Program in Smart Agriculture, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, South Korea
| | - Noh-Hyun Lee
- Division of Bio-Resource Sciences, BioHerb Research Institute, and Interdisciplinary Program in Smart Agriculture, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, South Korea
| | - Kwang Ho Lee
- Division of Bio-Resource Sciences, BioHerb Research Institute, and Interdisciplinary Program in Smart Agriculture, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, South Korea
| | - Kyoung Su Kim
- Division of Bio-Resource Sciences, BioHerb Research Institute, and Interdisciplinary Program in Smart Agriculture, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, South Korea
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Xiao W, Li J, Zhang Y, Guo Y, Fang W, Valverde BE, Yin J, Qiang S, Chen S. A fungal Bipolaris bicolor strain as a potential bioherbicide for goosegrass (Eleusine indica) control. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2022; 78:1251-1264. [PMID: 34846793 DOI: 10.1002/ps.6742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Revised: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tea, one of the most important commercial crops on earth, is strongly affected by weeds on productivity and quality. Bioherbicides are shedding new light on weed control in tea gardens in an economical and safe manner. RESULTS A pathogenic strain SYNJC-2-2 was isolated from diseased leaves of a noxious weed, goosegrass (Eleusine indica), from a tea garden in Zhejiang Province, China. It was identified as the fungal species Bipolaris bicolor based on the morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analysis. The potential of the B. bicolor strain SYNJC-2-2 as a bioherbicide was assessed by determining its efficacy to control weeds and selectivity to crops, its infection process and the influence of environmental conditions on conidial production and germination. The ED90 (effective dose of conidia resulting in 90 disease index) of SYNJC-2-2 on goosegrass was 2 × 104 conidia mL-1 . Additionally, three Poaceae weeds, Setaria viridis, Microstegium vimineum and Pennisetum alopecuroides, were also extremely susceptible to SYNJC-2-2. SYNJC-2-2 was safe to 14 out of 17 crop species in nine families, especially tea plants. Conidial germination, hyphal growth and appressorial formation occurred within 3 to 6 h on goosegrass leaves. Hyphae invaded leaf tissues mainly through epidermal cell junctions and cracks, causing cell death and necrotic lesions within 2 days on inoculated leaves and killing goosegrass plants within 7 days. Furthermore, SYNJC-2-2 has a strong adaptability to environmental variables and high conidial production capacity on goosegrass juice agar media. CONCLUSION Bipolaris bicolor strain SYNJC-2-2 has the potential to be developed as a bioherbicide for controlling goosegrass, especially in tea gardens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wan Xiao
- Weed Research Laboratory, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jingjing Li
- Weed Research Laboratory, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yaxin Zhang
- Weed Research Laboratory, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yanjing Guo
- Weed Research Laboratory, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wanping Fang
- Tea Science Research Institute, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Bernal E Valverde
- Weed Research Laboratory, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
- Research and Development in Tropical Agriculture, Alajuela, Costa Rica
| | - Juan Yin
- Jiangsu Xinpin Tea Co., Ltd, Changzhou, China
| | - Sheng Qiang
- Weed Research Laboratory, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Shiguo Chen
- Weed Research Laboratory, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
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Fu T, Han JH, Shin JH, Song H, Ko J, Lee YH, Kim KT, Kim KS. Homeobox Transcription Factors Are Required for Fungal Development and the Suppression of Host Defense Mechanisms in the Colletotrichum scovillei-Pepper Pathosystem. mBio 2021; 12:e0162021. [PMID: 34425710 PMCID: PMC8406175 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01620-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Colletotrichum scovillei, an ascomycete phytopathogenic fungus, is the main causal agent of serious yield losses of economic crops worldwide. The fungus causes anthracnose disease on several fruits, including peppers. However, little is known regarding the underlying molecular mechanisms involved in the development of anthracnose caused by this fungus. In an initial step toward understanding the development of anthracnose on pepper fruits, we retrieved 624 transcription factors (TFs) from the whole genome of C. scovillei and comparatively analyzed the entire repertoire of TFs among phytopathogenic fungi. Evolution and proliferation of members of the homeobox-like superfamily, including homeobox (HOX) TFs that regulate the development of eukaryotic organisms, were demonstrated in the genus Colletotrichum. C. scovillei was found to contain 10 HOX TF genes (CsHOX1 to CsHOX10), which were functionally characterized using deletion mutants of each CsHOX gene. Notably, CsHOX1 was identified as a pathogenicity factor required for the suppression of host defense mechanisms, which represents a new role for HOX TFs in pathogenic fungi. CsHOX2 and CsHOX7 were found to play essential roles in conidiation and appressorium development, respectively, in a stage-specific manner in C. scovillei. Our study provides a molecular basis for understanding the mechanisms associated with the development of anthracnose on fruits caused by C. scovillei, which will aid in the development of novel approaches for disease management. IMPORTANCE The ascomycete phytopathogenic fungus, Colletotrichum scovillei, causes serious yield loss on peppers. However, little is known about molecular mechanisms involved in the development of anthracnose caused by this fungus. We analyzed whole-genome sequences of C. scovillei and isolated 624 putative TFs, revealing the existence of 10 homeobox (HOX) transcription factor (TF) genes. We found that CsHOX1 is a pathogenicity factor required for the suppression of host defense mechanism, which represents a new role for HOX TFs in pathogenic fungi. We also found that CsHOX2 and CsHOX7 play essential roles in conidiation and appressorium development, respectively, in a stage-specific manner in C. scovillei. Our study contributes to understanding the mechanisms associated with the development of anthracnose on fruits caused by C. scovillei, which will aid for initiating novel approaches for disease management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teng Fu
- Division of Bio-Resource Sciences, BioHerb Research Institute, and Interdisciplinary Program in Smart Agriculture, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, South Korea
| | - Joon-Hee Han
- Department of Research and Development, Chuncheon Bioindustry Foundation, Chuncheon, South Korea
| | - Jong-Hwan Shin
- Division of Bio-Resource Sciences, BioHerb Research Institute, and Interdisciplinary Program in Smart Agriculture, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, South Korea
| | - Hyeunjeong Song
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Interdisciplinary Program in Agricultural Genomics, Center for Fungal Genetic Resources, Plant Immunity Research Center, and Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jaeho Ko
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Interdisciplinary Program in Agricultural Genomics, Center for Fungal Genetic Resources, Plant Immunity Research Center, and Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Yong-Hwan Lee
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Interdisciplinary Program in Agricultural Genomics, Center for Fungal Genetic Resources, Plant Immunity Research Center, and Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Ki-Tae Kim
- Department of Agricultural Life Science, Sunchon National University, Suncheon, South Korea
| | - Kyoung Su Kim
- Division of Bio-Resource Sciences, BioHerb Research Institute, and Interdisciplinary Program in Smart Agriculture, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, South Korea
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Chethana KWT, Jayawardena RS, Chen YJ, Konta S, Tibpromma S, Abeywickrama PD, Gomdola D, Balasuriya A, Xu J, Lumyong S, Hyde KD. Diversity and Function of Appressoria. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10060746. [PMID: 34204815 PMCID: PMC8231555 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10060746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Endophytic, saprobic, and pathogenic fungi have evolved elaborate strategies to obtain nutrients from plants. Among the diverse plant-fungi interactions, the most crucial event is the attachment and penetration of the plant surface. Appressoria, specialized infection structures, have been evolved to facilitate this purpose. In this review, we describe the diversity of these appressoria and classify them into two main groups: single-celled appressoria (proto-appressoria, hyaline appressoria, melanized (dark) appressoria) and compound appressoria. The ultrastructure of appressoria, their initiation, their formation, and their function in fungi are discussed. We reviewed the molecular mechanisms regulating the formation and function of appressoria, their strategies to evade host defenses, and the related genomics and transcriptomics. The current review provides a foundation for comprehensive studies regarding their evolution and diversity in different fungal groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- K. W. Thilini Chethana
- Innovative Institute of Plant Health, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou 510225, China;
- Center of Excellence in Fungal Research, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand; (R.S.J.); (Y.-J.C.); (S.K.); (P.D.A.); (D.G.)
- School of Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand
| | - Ruvishika S. Jayawardena
- Center of Excellence in Fungal Research, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand; (R.S.J.); (Y.-J.C.); (S.K.); (P.D.A.); (D.G.)
- School of Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand
| | - Yi-Jyun Chen
- Center of Excellence in Fungal Research, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand; (R.S.J.); (Y.-J.C.); (S.K.); (P.D.A.); (D.G.)
- School of Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand
| | - Sirinapa Konta
- Center of Excellence in Fungal Research, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand; (R.S.J.); (Y.-J.C.); (S.K.); (P.D.A.); (D.G.)
- School of Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand
| | - Saowaluck Tibpromma
- CAS Key Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Biogeography of East Asia, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, China;
| | - Pranami D. Abeywickrama
- Center of Excellence in Fungal Research, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand; (R.S.J.); (Y.-J.C.); (S.K.); (P.D.A.); (D.G.)
- School of Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Environment Friendly Management on Diseases and Pests of North China Fruits, Institute of Plant and Environment Protection, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, China
| | - Deecksha Gomdola
- Center of Excellence in Fungal Research, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand; (R.S.J.); (Y.-J.C.); (S.K.); (P.D.A.); (D.G.)
- School of Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand
| | - Abhaya Balasuriya
- Department of Plant Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Mihintale 50300, Sri Lanka;
| | - Jianping Xu
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1, Canada;
| | - Saisamorn Lumyong
- Center of Excellence in Microbial Diversity and Sustainable Utilization, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand;
- Academy of Science, The Royal Society of Thailand, Bangkok 10300, Thailand
| | - Kevin D. Hyde
- Innovative Institute of Plant Health, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou 510225, China;
- Center of Excellence in Fungal Research, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand; (R.S.J.); (Y.-J.C.); (S.K.); (P.D.A.); (D.G.)
- School of Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand
- CAS Key Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Biogeography of East Asia, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, China;
- Center of Excellence in Microbial Diversity and Sustainable Utilization, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand;
- Correspondence:
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The homeobox transcription factor CoHox1 is required for the morphogenesis of infection hyphae in host plants and pathogenicity in Colletotrichum orbiculare. MYCOSCIENCE 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.myc.2018.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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