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Lai Y, Zheng W, Zheng Y, Lu H, Qu S, Wang L, Li M, Wang S. Unveiling a novel entry gate: Insect foregut as an alternative infection route for fungal entomopathogens. Innovation (N Y) 2024; 5:100644. [PMID: 38933340 PMCID: PMC11201351 DOI: 10.1016/j.xinn.2024.100644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Insects and their natural microbial pathogens are intertwined in constant arms races, with pathogens continually seeking entry into susceptible hosts through distinct routes. Entomopathogenic fungi are primarily believed to infect host insects through external cuticle penetration. Here, we report a new variety, Beauveria bassiana var. majus (Bbm), that can infect insects through the previously unrecognized foregut. Dual routes of infection significantly accelerate insect mortality. The pH-responsive transcription factor PacC in Bbm exhibits rapid upregulation and efficient proteolytic processing via PalC for alkaline adaptation in the foregut. Expression of PalC is regulated by the adjacent downstream gene Aia. Compared to non-enteropathogenic strains such as ARSEF252, Aia in Bbm lacks a 249-bp fragment, resulting in its enhanced alkaline-induced expression. This induction promotes PalC upregulation and facilitates PacC activation. Expressing the active form of BbmPacC in ARSEF252 enables intestinal infection. This study uncovers the pH-responsive Aia-PalC-PacC cascade enhancing fungal alkaline tolerance for intestinal infection, laying the foundation for developing a new generation of fungal insecticides to control destructive insect pests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiling Lai
- New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Shanghai 200032, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Weilu Zheng
- New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Shanghai 200032, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yitong Zheng
- New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Shanghai 200032, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Haiquan Lu
- New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Shanghai 200032, China
- Sericultural Research Institute, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang 212000, China
| | - Shuang Qu
- New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Lili Wang
- New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Shanghai 200032, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Muwang Li
- Sericultural Research Institute, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang 212000, China
| | - Sibao Wang
- New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Shanghai 200032, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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Wang Y, Liu X, Yuan B, Chen X, Zhao H, Ali Q, Zheng M, Tan Z, Yao H, Zheng S, Wu J, Xu J, Shi J, Wu H, Gao X, Gu Q. Fusarium graminearum rapid alkalinization factor peptide negatively regulates plant immunity and cell growth via the FERONIA receptor kinase. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2024; 22:1800-1811. [PMID: 38344883 PMCID: PMC11182587 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.14303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/19/2024]
Abstract
The plant rapid alkalinization factor (RALF) peptides function as key regulators in cell growth and immune responses through the receptor kinase FERONIA (FER). In this study, we report that the transcription factor FgPacC binds directly to the promoter of FgRALF gene, which encodes a functional homologue of the plant RALF peptides from the wheat head blight fungus Fusarium graminearum (FgRALF). More importantly, FgPacC promotes fungal infection via host immune suppression by activating the expression of FgRALF. The FgRALF peptide also exhibited typical activities of plant RALF functions, such as inducing plant alkalinization and inhibiting cell growth, including wheat (Triticum aestivum), tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and Arabidopsis thaliana. We further identified the wheat receptor kinase FERONIA (TaFER), which is capable of restoring the defects of the A. thaliana FER mutant. In addition, we found that FgRALF peptide binds to the extracellular malectin-like domain (ECD) of TaFER (TaFERECD) to suppress the PAMP-triggered immunity (PTI) and cell growth. Overexpression of TaFERECD in A. thaliana confers plant resistance to F. graminearum and protects from FgRALF-induced cell growth inhibition. Collectively, our results demonstrate that the fungal pathogen-secreted RALF mimic suppresses host immunity and inhibits cell growth via plant FER receptor. This establishes a novel pathway for the development of disease-resistant crops in the future without compromising their yield potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujie Wang
- Department of Plant Pathology, College of Plant ProtectionNanjing Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Monitoring and Management of Crop Diseases and Pest Insects, Ministry of EducationNanjingChina
| | - Xin Liu
- Department of Plant Pathology, College of Plant ProtectionNanjing Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Monitoring and Management of Crop Diseases and Pest Insects, Ministry of EducationNanjingChina
- Institute of Food Safety and NutritionJiangsu Academy of Agricultural SciencesNanjingChina
| | - Bingqin Yuan
- Department of Plant Pathology, College of Plant ProtectionNanjing Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Monitoring and Management of Crop Diseases and Pest Insects, Ministry of EducationNanjingChina
| | - Xue Chen
- Department of Plant Pathology, College of Plant ProtectionNanjing Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Monitoring and Management of Crop Diseases and Pest Insects, Ministry of EducationNanjingChina
| | - Hanxi Zhao
- Department of Plant Pathology, College of Plant ProtectionNanjing Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Monitoring and Management of Crop Diseases and Pest Insects, Ministry of EducationNanjingChina
| | - Qurban Ali
- Department of Plant Pathology, College of Plant ProtectionNanjing Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Monitoring and Management of Crop Diseases and Pest Insects, Ministry of EducationNanjingChina
| | - Minghong Zheng
- Department of Plant Pathology, College of Plant ProtectionNanjing Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Monitoring and Management of Crop Diseases and Pest Insects, Ministry of EducationNanjingChina
| | - Zheng Tan
- Department of Plant Pathology, College of Plant ProtectionNanjing Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Monitoring and Management of Crop Diseases and Pest Insects, Ministry of EducationNanjingChina
| | - Hemin Yao
- Department of Plant Pathology, College of Plant ProtectionNanjing Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Monitoring and Management of Crop Diseases and Pest Insects, Ministry of EducationNanjingChina
| | - Shuqing Zheng
- Department of Plant Pathology, College of Plant ProtectionNanjing Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Monitoring and Management of Crop Diseases and Pest Insects, Ministry of EducationNanjingChina
| | - Jingni Wu
- Department of Plant Pathology, College of Plant ProtectionNanjing Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Monitoring and Management of Crop Diseases and Pest Insects, Ministry of EducationNanjingChina
| | - Jianhong Xu
- Department of Plant Pathology, College of Plant ProtectionNanjing Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Monitoring and Management of Crop Diseases and Pest Insects, Ministry of EducationNanjingChina
- Institute of Food Safety and NutritionJiangsu Academy of Agricultural SciencesNanjingChina
| | - Jianrong Shi
- Department of Plant Pathology, College of Plant ProtectionNanjing Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Monitoring and Management of Crop Diseases and Pest Insects, Ministry of EducationNanjingChina
- Institute of Food Safety and NutritionJiangsu Academy of Agricultural SciencesNanjingChina
| | - Huijun Wu
- Department of Plant Pathology, College of Plant ProtectionNanjing Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Monitoring and Management of Crop Diseases and Pest Insects, Ministry of EducationNanjingChina
| | - Xuewen Gao
- Department of Plant Pathology, College of Plant ProtectionNanjing Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Monitoring and Management of Crop Diseases and Pest Insects, Ministry of EducationNanjingChina
| | - Qin Gu
- Department of Plant Pathology, College of Plant ProtectionNanjing Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Monitoring and Management of Crop Diseases and Pest Insects, Ministry of EducationNanjingChina
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Xia A, Wang X, Huang Y, Yang Q, Ye M, Wang Y, Jiang C, Duan K. The ING protein Fng2 associated with RPD3 HDAC complex for the regulation of fungal development and pathogenesis in wheat head blight fungus. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 268:131938. [PMID: 38692539 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.131938] [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: 02/07/2024] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
ING proteins display a high level of evolutionary conservation across various species, and play a crucial role in modulating histone acetylation levels, thus regulating various important biological processes in yeast and humans. Filamentous fungi possess distinct biological characteristics that differentiate them from yeasts and humans, and the specific roles of ING proteins in filamentous fungi remain largely unexplored. In this study, an ING protein, Fng2, orthologous to the yeast Pho23, has been identified in the wheat head blight fungus Fusarium graminearum. The deletion of the FNG2 gene resulted in defects in vegetative growth, conidiation, sexual reproduction, plant infection, and deoxynivalenol (DON) biosynthesis. Acting as a global regulator, Fng2 exerts negative control over histone H4 acetylation and governs the expression of over 4000 genes. Moreover, almost half of the differentially expressed genes in the fng3 mutant were found to be co-regulated by Fng2, emphasizing the functional association between these two ING proteins. Notably, the fng2 fng3 double mutant exhibits significantly increased H4 acetylation and severe defects in both fungal development and pathogenesis. Furthermore, Fng2 localizes within the nucleus and associates with the FgRpd3 histone deacetylase (HDAC) to modulate gene expression. Overall, Fng2's interaction with FgRpd3, along with its functional association with Fng3, underscores its crucial involvement in governing gene expression, thereby significantly influencing fungal growth, asexual and sexual development, pathogenicity, and secondary metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aliang Xia
- State Key Laboratory for Crop Stress Resistance and High-Efficiency Production, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Xuan Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Crop Stress Resistance and High-Efficiency Production, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Yingao Huang
- State Key Laboratory for Crop Stress Resistance and High-Efficiency Production, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Qing Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Crop Stress Resistance and High-Efficiency Production, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Meng Ye
- State Key Laboratory for Crop Stress Resistance and High-Efficiency Production, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Yankun Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Crop Stress Resistance and High-Efficiency Production, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Cong Jiang
- State Key Laboratory for Crop Stress Resistance and High-Efficiency Production, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China.
| | - Kaili Duan
- State Key Laboratory for Crop Stress Resistance and High-Efficiency Production, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China.
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Buttar ZA, Cheng M, Wei P, Zhang Z, Lv C, Zhu C, Ali NF, Kang G, Wang D, Zhang K. Update on the Basic Understanding of Fusarium graminearum Virulence Factors in Common Wheat Research. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 13:1159. [PMID: 38674569 PMCID: PMC11053692 DOI: 10.3390/plants13081159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Wheat is one of the most important food crops, both in China and worldwide. Wheat production is facing extreme stresses posed by different diseases, including Fusarium head blight (FHB), which has recently become an increasingly serious concerns. FHB is one of the most significant and destructive diseases affecting wheat crops all over the world. Recent advancements in genomic tools provide a new avenue for the study of virulence factors in relation to the host plants. The current review focuses on recent progress in the study of different strains of Fusarium infection. The presence of genome-wide repeat-induced point (RIP) mutations causes genomic mutations, eventually leading to host plant susceptibility against Fusarium invasion. Furthermore, effector proteins disrupt the host plant resistance mechanism. In this study, we proposed systematic modification of the host genome using modern biological tools to facilitate plant resistance against foreign invasion. We also suggested a number of scientific strategies, such as gene cloning, developing more powerful functional markers, and using haplotype marker-assisted selection, to further improve FHB resistance and associated breeding methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeeshan Ali Buttar
- State Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science, Center for Crop Genome Engineering, College of Agronomy, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
- The Shennong Laboratory, Zhengzhou 450002, China
| | - Mengquan Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science, Center for Crop Genome Engineering, College of Agronomy, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
- The Shennong Laboratory, Zhengzhou 450002, China
| | - Panqin Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science, Center for Crop Genome Engineering, College of Agronomy, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
- The Shennong Laboratory, Zhengzhou 450002, China
| | - Ziwei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science, Center for Crop Genome Engineering, College of Agronomy, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
- The Shennong Laboratory, Zhengzhou 450002, China
| | - Chunlei Lv
- State Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science, Center for Crop Genome Engineering, College of Agronomy, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
- The Shennong Laboratory, Zhengzhou 450002, China
| | - Chenjia Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science, Center for Crop Genome Engineering, College of Agronomy, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
- The Shennong Laboratory, Zhengzhou 450002, China
| | - Nida Fatima Ali
- Department of Plant Biotechnology, Atta-Ur-Rehman School of Applied Biosciences (ASAB), National University of Science and Technology, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
| | - Guozhang Kang
- State Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science, Center for Crop Genome Engineering, College of Agronomy, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
| | - Daowen Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science, Center for Crop Genome Engineering, College of Agronomy, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
- The Shennong Laboratory, Zhengzhou 450002, China
| | - Kunpu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science, Center for Crop Genome Engineering, College of Agronomy, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
- The Shennong Laboratory, Zhengzhou 450002, China
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5
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Wang Y, Fan J, Zhou Z, Goldman GH, Lu L, Zhang Y. Histone acetyltransferase Sas3 contributes to fungal development, cell wall integrity, and virulence in Aspergillus fumigatus. Appl Environ Microbiol 2024; 90:e0188523. [PMID: 38451077 PMCID: PMC11022558 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01885-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Histone acetyltransferase (HAT)-mediated epigenetic modification is essential for diverse cellular processes in eukaryotes. However, the functions of HATs in the human pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus remain poorly understood. In this study, we characterized the functions of MOZ, Ybf2/Sas3, Sas2, and Tip60 (MYST)-family histone acetyltransferase something about silencing (Sas3) in A. fumigatus. Phenotypic analysis revealed that loss of Sas3 results in significant impairments in colony growth, conidiation, and virulence in the Galleria mellonella model. Subcellular localization and Western blot analysis demonstrated that Sas3 localizes to nuclei and is capable of acetylating lysine 9 and 14 of histone H3 in vivo. Importantly, we found that Sas3 is critical for the cell wall integrity (CWI) pathway in A. fumigatus as evidenced by hypersensitivity to cell wall-perturbing agents, altered cell wall thickness, and abnormal phosphorylation levels of CWI protein kinase MpkA. Furthermore, site-directed mutagenesis studies revealed that the conserved glycine residues G641 and G643 and glutamate residue E664 are crucial for the acetylation activity of Sas3. Unexpectedly, only triple mutations of Sas3 (G641A/G643A/E664A) displayed defective phenotypes similar to the Δsas3 mutant, while double or single mutations did not. This result implies that the role of Sas3 may extend beyond histone acetylation. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that MYST-family HAT Sas3 plays an important role in the fungal development, virulence, and cell wall integrity in A. fumigatus. IMPORTANCE Epigenetic modification governed by HATs is indispensable for various cellular processes in eukaryotes. Nonetheless, the precise functions of HATs in the human pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus remain elusive. In this study, we unveil the roles of MYST-family HAT Sas3 in colony growth, conidiation, virulence, and cell wall stress response in A. fumigatus. Particularly, our findings demonstrate that Sas3 can function through mechanisms unrelated to histone acetylation, as evidenced by site-directed mutagenesis experiments. Overall, this study broadens our understanding of the regulatory mechanism of HATs in fungal pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yamei Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Microbes and Functional Genomics, Jiangsu Engineering and Technology Research Centre for Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jialu Fan
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Microbes and Functional Genomics, Jiangsu Engineering and Technology Research Centre for Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhengyu Zhou
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Microbes and Functional Genomics, Jiangsu Engineering and Technology Research Centre for Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Gustavo H. Goldman
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Ling Lu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Microbes and Functional Genomics, Jiangsu Engineering and Technology Research Centre for Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuanwei Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Microbes and Functional Genomics, Jiangsu Engineering and Technology Research Centre for Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
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Niu G, Yang Q, Liao Y, Sun D, Tang Z, Wang G, Xu M, Wang C, Kang J. Advances in Understanding Fusarium graminearum: Genes Involved in the Regulation of Sexual Development, Pathogenesis, and Deoxynivalenol Biosynthesis. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:475. [PMID: 38674409 PMCID: PMC11050156 DOI: 10.3390/genes15040475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2024] [Revised: 04/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The wheat head blight disease caused by Fusarium graminearum is a major concern for food security and the health of both humans and animals. As a pathogenic microorganism, F. graminearum produces virulence factors during infection to increase pathogenicity, including various macromolecular and small molecular compounds. Among these virulence factors, secreted proteins and deoxynivalenol (DON) are important weapons for the expansion and colonization of F. graminearum. Besides the presence of virulence factors, sexual reproduction is also crucial for the infection process of F. graminearum and is indispensable for the emergence and spread of wheat head blight. Over the last ten years, there have been notable breakthroughs in researching the virulence factors and sexual reproduction of F. graminearum. This review aims to analyze the research progress of sexual reproduction, secreted proteins, and DON of F. graminearum, emphasizing the regulation of sexual reproduction and DON synthesis. We also discuss the application of new gene engineering technologies in the prevention and control of wheat head blight.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Niu
- College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China; (G.N.); (Q.Y.); (Y.L.); (D.S.); (Z.T.); (G.W.); (M.X.)
| | - Qing Yang
- College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China; (G.N.); (Q.Y.); (Y.L.); (D.S.); (Z.T.); (G.W.); (M.X.)
| | - Yihui Liao
- College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China; (G.N.); (Q.Y.); (Y.L.); (D.S.); (Z.T.); (G.W.); (M.X.)
| | - Daiyuan Sun
- College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China; (G.N.); (Q.Y.); (Y.L.); (D.S.); (Z.T.); (G.W.); (M.X.)
| | - Zhe Tang
- College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China; (G.N.); (Q.Y.); (Y.L.); (D.S.); (Z.T.); (G.W.); (M.X.)
| | - Guanghui Wang
- College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China; (G.N.); (Q.Y.); (Y.L.); (D.S.); (Z.T.); (G.W.); (M.X.)
| | - Ming Xu
- College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China; (G.N.); (Q.Y.); (Y.L.); (D.S.); (Z.T.); (G.W.); (M.X.)
| | - Chenfang Wang
- College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China; (G.N.); (Q.Y.); (Y.L.); (D.S.); (Z.T.); (G.W.); (M.X.)
- Institute of Plant Protection, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, China
| | - Jiangang Kang
- College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China; (G.N.); (Q.Y.); (Y.L.); (D.S.); (Z.T.); (G.W.); (M.X.)
- College of Plant Protection, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
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Sun J, Zhao J, Liu M, Li J, Cheng J, Li W, Yuan M, Xiao S, Xue C. SreC-dependent adaption to host iron environments regulates the transition of trophic stages and developmental processes of Curvularia lunata. MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY 2024; 25:e13444. [PMID: 38481338 PMCID: PMC10938068 DOI: 10.1111/mpp.13444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 02/25/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
Plant pathogens are challenged by host-derived iron starvation or excess during infection, but the mechanism of plant pathogens rapidly adapting to the dynamic host iron environments to assimilate iron for invasion and colonization remains largely unexplored. Here, we found that the GATA transcription factor SreC in Curvularia lunata is required for virulence and adaption to the host iron excess environment. SreC directly binds to the ATGWGATAW element in an iron-dependent manner to regulate the switch between different iron assimilation pathways, conferring adaption to host iron environments in different trophic stages of C. lunata. SreC also regulates the transition of trophic stages and developmental processes in C. lunata. SreC-dependent adaption to host iron environments is essential to the infectious growth and survival of C. lunata. We also demonstrate that CgSreA (a SreC orthologue) plays a similar role in Colletotrichum graminicola. We conclude that Sre mediates adaption to the host iron environment during infection, and the function is conserved in hemibiotrophic fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaying Sun
- College of Plant ProtectionShenyang Agriculture UniversityShenyangChina
| | - Jiamei Zhao
- College of Plant ProtectionShenyang Agriculture UniversityShenyangChina
| | - Miaomiao Liu
- College of Plant ProtectionShenyang Agriculture UniversityShenyangChina
| | - Jiayang Li
- College of Plant ProtectionShenyang Agriculture UniversityShenyangChina
| | - Jie Cheng
- College of Plant ProtectionShenyang Agriculture UniversityShenyangChina
| | - Wenling Li
- College of Plant ProtectionShenyang Agriculture UniversityShenyangChina
| | - Mingyue Yuan
- College of Plant ProtectionShenyang Agriculture UniversityShenyangChina
- Section of Microbial Ecology, Department of BiologyLund UniversityLundSweden
| | - Shuqin Xiao
- College of Plant ProtectionShenyang Agriculture UniversityShenyangChina
| | - Chunsheng Xue
- College of Plant ProtectionShenyang Agriculture UniversityShenyangChina
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Zhao X, Wang Y, Yuan B, Zhao H, Wang Y, Tan Z, Wang Z, Wu H, Li G, Song W, Gupta R, Tsuda K, Ma Z, Gao X, Gu Q. Temporally-coordinated bivalent histone modifications of BCG1 enable fungal invasion and immune evasion. Nat Commun 2024; 15:231. [PMID: 38182582 PMCID: PMC10770383 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44491-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Bivalent histone modifications, including functionally opposite H3K4me3 and H3K27me3 marks simultaneously on the same nucleosome, control various cellular processes by fine-tuning the gene expression in eukaryotes. However, the role of bivalent histone modifications in fungal virulence remains elusive. By mapping the genome-wide landscape of H3K4me3 and H3K27me3 dynamic modifications in Fusarium graminearum (Fg) during invasion, we identify the infection-related bivalent chromatin-marked genes (BCGs). BCG1 gene, which encodes a secreted Fusarium-specific xylanase containing a G/Q-rich motif, displays the highest increase of bivalent modification during Fg infection. We report that the G/Q-rich motif of BCG1 is a stimulator of its xylanase activity and is essential for the full virulence of Fg. Intriguingly, this G/Q-rich motif is recognized by pattern-recognition receptors to trigger plant immunity. We discover that Fg employs H3K4me3 modification to induce BCG1 expression required for host cell wall degradation. After breaching the cell wall barrier, this active chromatin state is reset to bivalency by co-modifying with H3K27me3, which enables epigenetic silencing of BCG1 to escape from host immune surveillance. Collectively, our study highlights how fungal pathogens deploy bivalent epigenetic modification to achieve temporally-coordinated activation and suppression of a critical fungal gene, thereby facilitating successful infection and host immune evasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaozhen Zhao
- Department of Plant Pathology, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Monitoring and Management of Crop Diseases and Pest Insects, Ministry of Education, Nanjing, China
| | - Yiming Wang
- Department of Plant Pathology, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Monitoring and Management of Crop Diseases and Pest Insects, Ministry of Education, Nanjing, China
| | - Bingqin Yuan
- Department of Plant Pathology, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Monitoring and Management of Crop Diseases and Pest Insects, Ministry of Education, Nanjing, China
| | - Hanxi Zhao
- Department of Plant Pathology, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Monitoring and Management of Crop Diseases and Pest Insects, Ministry of Education, Nanjing, China
| | - Yujie Wang
- Department of Plant Pathology, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Monitoring and Management of Crop Diseases and Pest Insects, Ministry of Education, Nanjing, China
| | - Zheng Tan
- Department of Plant Pathology, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Monitoring and Management of Crop Diseases and Pest Insects, Ministry of Education, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhiyuan Wang
- Department of Plant Pathology, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Monitoring and Management of Crop Diseases and Pest Insects, Ministry of Education, Nanjing, China
| | - Huijun Wu
- Department of Plant Pathology, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Monitoring and Management of Crop Diseases and Pest Insects, Ministry of Education, Nanjing, China
| | - Gang Li
- Department of Plant Pathology, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Monitoring and Management of Crop Diseases and Pest Insects, Ministry of Education, Nanjing, China
| | - Wei Song
- Department of Plant Pathology, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Monitoring and Management of Crop Diseases and Pest Insects, Ministry of Education, Nanjing, China
| | - Ravi Gupta
- College of General Education, Kookmin University, Seoul, 02707, South Korea
| | - Kenichi Tsuda
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Hubei Key Lab of Plant Pathology, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Zhonghua Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology, the Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xuewen Gao
- Department of Plant Pathology, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Monitoring and Management of Crop Diseases and Pest Insects, Ministry of Education, Nanjing, China
| | - Qin Gu
- Department of Plant Pathology, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Monitoring and Management of Crop Diseases and Pest Insects, Ministry of Education, Nanjing, China.
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9
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Yu CK, Stephenson CJ, Villamor TC, Dyba TG, Schulz BL, Fraser JA. SAGA Complex Subunit Hfi1 Is Important in the Stress Response and Pathogenesis of Cryptococcus neoformans. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:1198. [PMID: 38132798 PMCID: PMC10744473 DOI: 10.3390/jof9121198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The Spt-Ada-Gcn Acetyltransferase (SAGA) complex is a highly conserved co-activator found across eukaryotes. It is composed of a number of modules which can vary between species, but all contain the core module. Hfi1 (known as TADA1 in Homo sapiens) is one of the proteins that forms the core module, and has been shown to play an important role in maintaining complex structural integrity in both brewer's yeast and humans. In this study we successfully identified the gene encoding this protein in the important fungal pathogen, Cryptococcus neoformans, and named it HFI1. The hfi1Δ mutant is highly pleiotropic in vitro, influencing phenotypes, ranging from temperature sensitivity and melanin production to caffeine resistance and titan cell morphogenesis. In the absence of Hfi1, the transcription of several other SAGA genes is impacted, as is the acetylation and deubiquination of several histone residues. Importantly, loss of the gene significantly impacts virulence in a murine inhalation model of cryptococcosis. In summary, we have established that Hfi1 modulates multiple pathways that directly affect virulence and survival in C. neoformans, and provided deeper insight into the importance of the non-enzymatic components of the SAGA complex.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - James A. Fraser
- School of Chemistry & Molecular Biosciences, Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; (C.K.Y.); (C.J.S.); (T.C.V.); (T.G.D.); (B.L.S.)
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10
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Chen Y, Cao Y, Jiao C, Sun X, Gai Y, Zhu Z, Li H. The Alternaria alternata StuA transcription factor interacting with the pH-responsive regulator PacC for the biosynthesis of host-selective toxin and virulence in citrus. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0233523. [PMID: 37812002 PMCID: PMC10715145 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02335-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE In this study, we used Alternaria alternata as a biological model to report the role of StuA in phytopathogenic fungi. Our findings indicated that StuA is required for Alternaria citri toxin (ACT) biosynthesis and fungal virulence. In addition, StuA physically interacts with PacC. Disruption of stuA or pacC led to decreased expression of seven toxin biosynthetic genes (ACCT) and toxin production. PacC could recognize and bind to the promoter regions of ACTT6 and ACTTR. Our results revealed a previously unrecognized (StuA-PacC)→ACTTR module for the biosynthesis of ACT in A. alternata, which also provides a framework for the study of StuA in other fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanan Chen
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Ministry of Agriculture, The Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Efficient and Green Production of Agriculture in Mountainous Areas of Zhejiang Province, College of Horticulture Science, Zhejiang Agriculture & Forestry University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yingzi Cao
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Ministry of Agriculture, The Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chen Jiao
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Ministry of Agriculture, The Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xuepeng Sun
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Efficient and Green Production of Agriculture in Mountainous Areas of Zhejiang Province, College of Horticulture Science, Zhejiang Agriculture & Forestry University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yunpeng Gai
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Ministry of Agriculture, The Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zengrong Zhu
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Ministry of Agriculture, The Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Hainan Institute, Zhejiang University, Sanya, China
| | - Hongye Li
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Ministry of Agriculture, The Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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11
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Sun K, Li Y, Gai Y, Wang J, Jian Y, Liu X, Wu L, Shim WB, Lee YW, Ma Z, Haas H, Yin Y. HapX-mediated H2B deub1 and SreA-mediated H2A.Z deposition coordinate in fungal iron resistance. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:10238-10260. [PMID: 37650633 PMCID: PMC10602907 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Plant pathogens are challenged by host-derived iron starvation or excess during infection, but the mechanism through which pathogens counteract iron stress is unclear. Here, we found that Fusarium graminearum encounters iron excess during the colonization of wheat heads. Deletion of heme activator protein X (FgHapX), siderophore transcription factor A (FgSreA) or both attenuated virulence. Further, we found that FgHapX activates iron storage under iron excess by promoting histone H2B deubiquitination (H2B deub1) at the promoter of the responsible gene. Meanwhile, FgSreA is shown to inhibit genes mediating iron acquisition during iron excess by facilitating the deposition of histone variant H2A.Z and histone 3 lysine 27 trimethylation (H3K27 me3) at the first nucleosome after the transcription start site. In addition, the monothiol glutaredoxin FgGrx4 is responsible for iron sensing and control of the transcriptional activity of FgHapX and FgSreA via modulation of their enrichment at target genes and recruitment of epigenetic regulators, respectively. Taken together, our findings elucidated the molecular mechanisms for adaptation to iron excess mediated by FgHapX and FgSreA during infection in F. graminearum and provide novel insights into regulation of iron homeostasis at the chromatin level in eukaryotes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kewei Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology, the Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yiqing Li
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology, the Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yunpeng Gai
- School of Grassland Science, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Jingrui Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology, the Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yunqing Jian
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology, the Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xin Liu
- Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | - Liang Wu
- Institute of Crop Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Won-Bo Shim
- Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, USA
| | - Yin-Won Lee
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Zhonghua Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology, the Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hubertus Haas
- Instiute of Molecular Biology, Biocenter, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck A-6020, Austria
| | - Yanni Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology, the Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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12
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Liu XX, Zhu XF, Xue DW, Zheng SJ, Jin CW. Beyond iron-storage pool: functions of plant apoplastic iron during stress. TRENDS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 28:941-954. [PMID: 37019715 DOI: 10.1016/j.tplants.2023.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Iron (Fe) is an essential micronutrient for plants, and its storage in the apoplast represents an important Fe pool. Plants have developed various strategies to reutilize this apoplastic Fe pool to adapt to Fe deficiency. In addition, growing evidence indicates that the dynamic changes in apoplastic Fe are critical for plant adaptation to other stresses, including ammonium stress, phosphate deficiency, and pathogen attack. In this review, we discuss and scrutinize the relevance of apoplastic Fe for plant behavior changes in response to stress cues. We mainly focus on the relevant components that modulate the actions and downstream events of apoplastic Fe in stress signaling networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing Xing Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiao Fang Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Soil and Sustainable Agriculture, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | - Da Wei Xue
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shao Jian Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chong Wei Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
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13
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Zhuo R, Chen Y, Xing M, Zhang Z, Tian S, Li B. Ena Proteins Respond to PacC-Mediated pH Signaling Pathway and Play a Crucial Role in Patulin Biosynthesis. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:806. [PMID: 37623577 PMCID: PMC10455529 DOI: 10.3390/jof9080806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Penicillium expansum is a main producer of patulin that causes severe postharvest decay and food safety issues in the fruit industry. Development, pathogenicity, and patulin production of P. expansum are strongly influenced by the PacC-pH signaling pathway. Global transcription factor PacC regulates various fungal biological processes through a complicated molecular network. In the present study, three Ena family genes (PeEnas), PeEnaA, PeEnaB, and PeEnaC, as important downstream targets of PePacC, were identified in P. expansum. Deletion of PeEnaA, PeEnaB, and PeEnaC showed little effect on mycelial growth under alkaline or high salinity conditions, but double and triple deletion of these genes impaired the virulence of P. expansum on apple fruit. Notably, patulin biosynthesis of P. expansum was distinctly inhibited in the deletion mutants of PeEnas. PeEnas regulated expressions of the patulin gene cluster, AP1, CreA, Sge1, and Hog1 at the transcriptional level and played roles in maintaining membrane potential. Overexpression of PeEnaC in ΔPePacC restored the patulin production defect of ΔPePacC. Our results indicated that, as downstream targets of PePacC, the PeEna family proteins play a crucial role in patulin biosynthesis in P. expansum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruiling Zhuo
- Key Laboratory of Plant Resources, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100093, China
- China National Botanical Garden, Beijing 100093, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yong Chen
- Key Laboratory of Plant Resources, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100093, China
- China National Botanical Garden, Beijing 100093, China
| | - Mengyang Xing
- Key Laboratory of Plant Resources, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100093, China
- China National Botanical Garden, Beijing 100093, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Zhanquan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Plant Resources, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100093, China
- China National Botanical Garden, Beijing 100093, China
| | - Shiping Tian
- Key Laboratory of Plant Resources, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100093, China
- China National Botanical Garden, Beijing 100093, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Boqiang Li
- Key Laboratory of Plant Resources, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100093, China
- China National Botanical Garden, Beijing 100093, China
- Key Laboratory of Post-Harvest Handling of Fruits, Ministry of Agriculture, Beijing 100093, China
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