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Yang S, Sun J, Xue A, Li G, Sun C, Hou J, Qin QM, Zhang M. Novel Botrytis cinerea Zn(II) 2Cys 6 Transcription Factor BcFtg1 Enhances the Virulence of the Gray Mold Fungus by Promoting Organic Acid Secretion and Carbon Source Utilization. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2024; 72:18824-18839. [PMID: 39140189 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.4c03014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/15/2024]
Abstract
The Zn(II)2Cys6 zinc cluster protein family comprises a subclass of zinc-finger proteins that serve as transcriptional regulators involved in a diverse array of fugal biological processes. However, the roles and mechanisms of the Zn(II)2Cys6 transcription factors in mediating Botrytis cinerea, a necrotrophic fungus that causes gray mold in over 1000 plant species, development and virulence remain obscure. Here, we demonstrate that a novel B. cinerea pathogenicity-associated factor BcFTG1 (fungal transcription factor containing the GAL4 domain), identified from a virulence-attenuated mutant M20162 from a B. cinerea T-DNA insertion mutant library, plays an important role in oxalic acid (OA) secretion, carbon source absorption and cell wall integrity. Loss of BcFTG1 compromises the ability of the pathogen to secrete OA, absorb carbon sources, maintain cell wall integrity, and promote virulence. Our findings provide novel insights into fungal factors mediating the pathogenesis of the gray mold fungus via regulation of OA secretion, carbon source utilization and cell wall integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Song Yang
- College of Plant Science, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Jiao Sun
- Engineering Research Center of Coal-Based Ecological Carbon Sequestration Technology of the Ministry of Education, Datong University, Datong, Shanxi 037009, China
| | - Aoran Xue
- College of Plant Science, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Guihua Li
- College of Plant Science, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Chenhao Sun
- College of Plant Science, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Jie Hou
- Engineering Research Centre of Forestry Biotechnology of Jilin Province in Beihua University, Jilin 132013, China
| | - Qing-Ming Qin
- Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, The University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211, United States
| | - Mingzhe Zhang
- College of Plant Science, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
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Yang X, Cao S, Sun H, Deng Y, Zhang X, Li Y, Ma D, Chen H, Li W. The critical roles of the Zn 2Cys 6 transcription factor Fp487 in the development and virulence of Fusarium pseudograminearum: A potential target for Fusarium crown rot control. Microbiol Res 2024; 285:127784. [PMID: 38824820 DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2024.127784] [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: 02/25/2024] [Revised: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
Fusarium crown rot (FCR) caused by Fusarium pseudograminearum poses a significant threat to wheat production in the Huang-Huai-Hai region of China. However, the pathogenic mechanism of F. pseudograminearum is still poorly understood. Zn2Cys6 transcription factors, which are exclusive to fungi, play pivotal roles in regulating fungal development, drug resistance, pathogenicity, and secondary metabolism. In this study, we present the functional characterization of a Zn2Cys6 transcription factor F. pseudograminearum, designated Fp487. In F. pseudograminearum, Fp487 is shown to be required for mycelial growth through gene knockout and phenotypic analyses. Compared with wild-type CF14047, the ∆Fp487 mutant displayed a slight reduction in growth rate but a significant decrease in conidiogenesis, pathogenicity and 3-acetyl-deoxynivalenol (3AcDON) production. Moreover, the mutant exhibited heightened sensitivity to oxidative and cytomembrane stress. Furthermore, we synthesized dsRNA from the Fp487 gene in vitro, resulting in a reduction in the growth rate of F. pseudograminearum and its virulence on barley leaves through spray-induced gene silencing (SIGS). Notably, this study makes the first instance of inducing the expression of abundant dsRNA from F. pseudograminearum by engineering the Escherichia coli strain HT115 (DE3) and utilizing the SIGS technique to evaluate the virulence effect of dsRNA on F. pseudograminearum. In conclusion, our findings revealed the crucial role of Fp487 in regulating pathogenicity, stress responses, DON production, and conidiogenesis in F. pseudograminearum. Furthermore, Fp487 is a potential RNAi-based target for FCR control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyue Yang
- Institute of Plant Protection, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210014, China; Key Laboratory of Sustainable Crop Production in the Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River (Co-construction by Ministry and Province), College of Agriculture, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, Hubei 434025, China
| | - Shulin Cao
- Institute of Plant Protection, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210014, China; Jiangsu Co-Innovation Centre for Modern Production Technology of Grain Crops, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, China
| | - Haiyan Sun
- Institute of Plant Protection, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210014, China
| | - Yuanyu Deng
- Institute of Plant Protection, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210014, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- Institute of Plant Protection, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210014, China
| | - Yan Li
- Key Laboratory of Sustainable Crop Production in the Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River (Co-construction by Ministry and Province), College of Agriculture, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, Hubei 434025, China
| | - Dongfang Ma
- Key Laboratory of Sustainable Crop Production in the Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River (Co-construction by Ministry and Province), College of Agriculture, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, Hubei 434025, China
| | - Huaigu Chen
- Institute of Plant Protection, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210014, China; Jiangsu Co-Innovation Centre for Modern Production Technology of Grain Crops, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, China.
| | - Wei Li
- Institute of Plant Protection, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210014, China; Jiangsu Co-Innovation Centre for Modern Production Technology of Grain Crops, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, China.
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Liu X, Keyhani NO, Liu H, Zhang Y, Xia Y, Cao Y. Glyoxal oxidase-mediated detoxification of reactive carbonyl species contributes to virulence, stress tolerance, and development in a pathogenic fungus. PLoS Pathog 2024; 20:e1012431. [PMID: 39078845 PMCID: PMC11315307 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1012431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Revised: 08/09/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Reactive carbonyl and oxygen species (RCS/ROS), often generated as metabolic byproducts, particularly under conditions of pathology, can cause direct damage to proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. Glyoxal oxidases (Gloxs) oxidize aldehydes to carboxylic acids, generating hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Although best characterized for their roles in lignin degradation, Glox in plant fungal pathogens are known to contribute to virulence, however, the mechanism underlying such effects are unclear. Here, we show that Glox in the insect pathogenic fungus, Metarhizium acridum, is highly expressed in mycelia and during formation of infection structures (appressoria), with the enzyme localizing to the cell membrane. MaGlox targeted gene disruption mutants showed RCS and ROS accumulation, resulting in cell toxicity, induction of apoptosis and increased autophagy, inhibiting normal fungal growth and development. The ability of the MaGlox mutant to scavenge RCS was significantly reduced, and the mutant exhibited increased susceptibility to aldehydes, oxidative and cell wall perturbing agents but not toward osmotic stress, with altered cell wall contents. The ΔMaGlox mutant was impaired in its ability to penetrate the host cuticle and evade host immune defense resulting in attenuated pathogenicity. Overexpression of MaGlox promoted fungal growth and conidial germination, increased tolerance to H2O2, but had little to other phenotypic effects. Transcriptomic analyses revealed downregulation of genes related to cell wall synthesis, conidiation, stress tolerance, and host cuticle penetration in the ΔMaGlox mutant. These findings demonstrate that MaGlox-mediated scavenging of RCS is required for virulence, and contributes to normal fungal growth and development, stress resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyu Liu
- Genetic Engineering Research Center, School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China
- Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Fungal Insecticide, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation Technologies Under Chongqing Municipal Education Commission, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Nemat O. Keyhani
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Illinois, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Hong Liu
- Genetic Engineering Research Center, School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China
- Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Fungal Insecticide, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation Technologies Under Chongqing Municipal Education Commission, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yue Zhang
- Genetic Engineering Research Center, School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China
- Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Fungal Insecticide, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation Technologies Under Chongqing Municipal Education Commission, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yuxian Xia
- Genetic Engineering Research Center, School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China
- Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Fungal Insecticide, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation Technologies Under Chongqing Municipal Education Commission, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yueqing Cao
- Genetic Engineering Research Center, School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China
- Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Fungal Insecticide, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation Technologies Under Chongqing Municipal Education Commission, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China
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Meng J, Zan F, Liu Z, Zhang Y, Qin C, Hao L, Wang Z, Wang L, Liu D, Liang S, Li H, Li H, Ding S. Genomics Analysis Reveals the Potential Biocontrol Mechanism of Pseudomonas aeruginosa QY43 against Fusarium pseudograminearum. J Fungi (Basel) 2024; 10:298. [PMID: 38667969 PMCID: PMC11050789 DOI: 10.3390/jof10040298] [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: 03/25/2024] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Fusarium crown rot (FCR) in wheat is a prevalent soil-borne disease worldwide and poses a significant threat to the production of wheat (Triticum aestivum) in China, with F. pseudograminearum being the dominant pathogen. Currently, there is a shortage of biocontrol resources to control FCR induced by F. pseudograminearum, along with biocontrol mechanisms. In this study, we have identified 37 strains of biocontrol bacteria displaying antagonistic effects against F. pseudograminearum from over 8000 single colonies isolated from soil samples with a high incidence of FCR. Among them, QY43 exhibited remarkable efficacy in controlling FCR. Further analysis identified the isolate QY43 as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, based on its colony morphology and molecular biology. In vitro, QY43 significantly inhibited the growth, conidial germination, and the pathogenicity of F. pseudograminearum. In addition, QY43 exhibited a broad spectrum of antagonistic activities against several plant pathogens. The genomics analysis revealed that there are genes encoding potential biocontrol factors in the genome of QY43. The experimental results confirmed that QY43 secretes biocontrol factor siderophores and pyocyanin. In summary, QY43 exhibits a broad spectrum of antagonistic activities and the capacity to produce diverse biocontrol factors, thereby showing substantial potential for biocontrol applications to plant disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxing Meng
- College of Plant Protection, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China; (J.M.); (F.Z.); (Z.L.); (Y.Z.); (C.Q.); (L.H.); (Z.W.); (L.W.); (H.L.)
| | - Feifei Zan
- College of Plant Protection, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China; (J.M.); (F.Z.); (Z.L.); (Y.Z.); (C.Q.); (L.H.); (Z.W.); (L.W.); (H.L.)
| | - Zheran Liu
- College of Plant Protection, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China; (J.M.); (F.Z.); (Z.L.); (Y.Z.); (C.Q.); (L.H.); (Z.W.); (L.W.); (H.L.)
| | - Yuan Zhang
- College of Plant Protection, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China; (J.M.); (F.Z.); (Z.L.); (Y.Z.); (C.Q.); (L.H.); (Z.W.); (L.W.); (H.L.)
| | - Cancan Qin
- College of Plant Protection, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China; (J.M.); (F.Z.); (Z.L.); (Y.Z.); (C.Q.); (L.H.); (Z.W.); (L.W.); (H.L.)
| | - Lingjun Hao
- College of Plant Protection, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China; (J.M.); (F.Z.); (Z.L.); (Y.Z.); (C.Q.); (L.H.); (Z.W.); (L.W.); (H.L.)
| | - Zhifang Wang
- College of Plant Protection, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China; (J.M.); (F.Z.); (Z.L.); (Y.Z.); (C.Q.); (L.H.); (Z.W.); (L.W.); (H.L.)
| | - Limin Wang
- College of Plant Protection, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China; (J.M.); (F.Z.); (Z.L.); (Y.Z.); (C.Q.); (L.H.); (Z.W.); (L.W.); (H.L.)
| | - Dongmei Liu
- Institute of Quality Standards and Testing Technology for Agro-Products, Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou 450002, China;
| | - Shen Liang
- Horticulture Research Institute, Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou 450002, China;
| | - Honglian Li
- College of Plant Protection, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China; (J.M.); (F.Z.); (Z.L.); (Y.Z.); (C.Q.); (L.H.); (Z.W.); (L.W.); (H.L.)
- National Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science, Zhengzhou 450046, China
| | - Haiyang Li
- College of Plant Protection, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China; (J.M.); (F.Z.); (Z.L.); (Y.Z.); (C.Q.); (L.H.); (Z.W.); (L.W.); (H.L.)
| | - Shengli Ding
- College of Plant Protection, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China; (J.M.); (F.Z.); (Z.L.); (Y.Z.); (C.Q.); (L.H.); (Z.W.); (L.W.); (H.L.)
- National Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science, Zhengzhou 450046, China
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Liu Q, Jiang K, Duan S, Zhao N, Shen Y, Zhu L, Zhang KQ, Yang J. Identification of a transcription factor AoMsn2 of the Hog1 signaling pathway contributes to fungal growth, development and pathogenicity in Arthrobotrys oligospora. J Adv Res 2024:S2090-1232(24)00052-3. [PMID: 38331317 DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2024.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 01/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Arthrobotrys oligospora has been utilized as a model strain to study the interaction between fungi and nematodes owing to its ability to capture nematodes by developing specialized traps. A previous study showed that high-osmolarity glycerol (Hog1) signaling regulates the osmoregulation and nematocidal activity of A. oligospora. However, the function of downstream transcription factors of the Hog1 signaling in the nematode-trapping (NT) fungi remains unclear. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the functions and potential regulatory network of AoMsn2, a downstream transcription factor of the Hog1 signaling pathway in A. oligospora. METHODS The function of AoMsn2 was characterized using targeted gene deletion, phenotypic experiments, real-time quantitative PCR, RNA sequencing, untargeted metabolomics, and yeast two-hybrid analysis. RESULTS Loss of Aomsn2 significantly enlarged and swollen the hyphae, with an increase in septa and a significant decrease in nuclei. In particular, spore yield, spore germination rate, traps, and nematode predation efficiency were remarkably decreased in the mutants. Phenotypic and transcriptomic analyses revealed that AoMsn2 is essential for fatty acid metabolism and autophagic pathways. Additionally, untargeted metabolomic analysis identified an important function of AoMsn2 in the modulation of secondary metabolites. Furtherly, we analyzed the protein interaction network of AoMsn2 based on the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway map and the online website STRING. Finally, Hog1 and six putative targeted proteins of AoMsn2 were identified by Y2H analysis. CONCLUSION Our study reveals that AoMsn2 plays crucial roles in the growth, conidiation, trap development, fatty acid metabolism, and secondary metabolism, as well as establishes a broad basis for understanding the regulatory mechanisms of trap morphogenesis and environmental adaptation in NT fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianqian Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Key Laboratory for Southwest Microbial Diversity of the Ministry of Education, and School of Life Science, Yunnan University, Kunming 650032, China
| | - Kexin Jiang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Key Laboratory for Southwest Microbial Diversity of the Ministry of Education, and School of Life Science, Yunnan University, Kunming 650032, China
| | - Shipeng Duan
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Key Laboratory for Southwest Microbial Diversity of the Ministry of Education, and School of Life Science, Yunnan University, Kunming 650032, China
| | - Na Zhao
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Key Laboratory for Southwest Microbial Diversity of the Ministry of Education, and School of Life Science, Yunnan University, Kunming 650032, China
| | - Yanmei Shen
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Key Laboratory for Southwest Microbial Diversity of the Ministry of Education, and School of Life Science, Yunnan University, Kunming 650032, China
| | - Lirong Zhu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Key Laboratory for Southwest Microbial Diversity of the Ministry of Education, and School of Life Science, Yunnan University, Kunming 650032, China
| | - Ke-Qin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Key Laboratory for Southwest Microbial Diversity of the Ministry of Education, and School of Life Science, Yunnan University, Kunming 650032, China
| | - Jinkui Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Key Laboratory for Southwest Microbial Diversity of the Ministry of Education, and School of Life Science, Yunnan University, Kunming 650032, China.
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