The decrotonylase FoSir5 facilitates mitochondrial metabolic state switching in conidial germination of Fusarium oxysporum

Zinc finger transcription factor ZFP1 is associated with growth, conidiation, osmoregulation, and virulence in the Polygonatum kingianum pathogen Fusarium oxysporum

Rhizome rot is a destructive soil-borne disease of Polygonatum kingianum and adversely affects the yield and sustenance of the plant. Understanding how the causal fungus Fusarium oxysporum infects P. kingianum may suggest effective control measures against rhizome rot. In germinating conidia of infectious F. oxysporum, expression of the zinc finger transcription factor gene Zfp1, consisting of two C2H2 motifs, was up-regulated. To characterize the critical role of ZFP1, we generated independent deletion mutants (zfp1) and complemented one mutant with a transgenic copy of ZFP1 (zfp1 tZFP1). Mycelial growth and conidial production of zfp1 were slower than those of wild type (ZFP1) and zfp1 tZFP1. Additionally, a reduced inhibition of growth suggested zfp1 was less sensitive to conditions promoting cell wall and osmotic stresses than ZFP1 and zfp1 tZFP1. Furthermore pathogenicity tests suggested a critical role for growth of zfp1 in infected leaves and rhizomes of P. kingianum. Thus ZFP1 is important for mycelial growth, conidiation, osmoregulation, and pathogenicity in P. kingianum.

Application of crotonylation modification in pan-vascular diseases

Pan-vascular diseases, based on systems biology theory, explore the commonalities and individualities of important target organs such as cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and peripheral blood vessels, starting from the systemic and holistic aspects of vascular diseases. The purpose is to understand the interrelationships and results between them, achieve vascular health or sub-health, and comprehensively improve the physical and mental health of the entire population. Post-translational modification (PTM) is an important part of epigenetics, including phosphorylation, acetylation, ubiquitination, methylation, etc., playing a crucial role in the pan-vascular system. Crotonylation is a novel type of PTM that has made significant progress in the research of pan-vascular related diseases in recent years. Based on the review of previous studies, this article summarises the various regulatory factors of crotonylation, physiological functions and the mechanisms of histone and non-histone crotonylation in regulating pan-vascular related diseases to explore the possibility of precise regulation of crotonylation sites as potential targets for disease treatment and the value of clinical translation.

Nitric oxide-mediated regulation of Aspergillus flavus asexual development by targeting TCA cycle and mitochondrial function

Nitric oxide (NO) is a signaling molecule with diverse roles in various organisms. However, its role in the opportunistic pathogen Aspergillus flavus remains unclear. This study investigates the potential of NO, mediated by metabolites from A. oryzae (AO), as an antifungal strategy against A. flavus. We demonstrated that AO metabolites effectively suppressed A. flavus asexual development, a critical stage in its lifecycle. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that AO metabolites induced NO synthesis genes, leading to increased intracellular NO levels. Reducing intracellular NO content rescued A. flavus spores from germination inhibition caused by AO metabolites. Furthermore, exogenous NO treatment and dysfunction of flavohemoglobin Fhb1, a key NO detoxification enzyme, significantly impaired A. flavus asexual development. RNA-sequencing and metabolomic analyses revealed significant metabolic disruptions within tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle upon AO treatment. NO treatment significantly reduced mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm) and ATP generation. Additionally, aberrant metabolic flux within the TCA cycle was observed upon NO treatment. Further analysis revealed that NO induced S-nitrosylation of five key TCA cycle enzymes. Genetic analysis demonstrated that the S-nitrosylated Aconitase Acon and one subunit of succinate dehydrogenase Sdh2 played crucial roles in A. flavus development by regulating ATP production. This study highlights the potential of NO as a novel antifungal strategy to control A. flavus by compromising its mitochondrial function and energy metabolism.

Sirt5-mediated lysine desuccinylation regulates oxidative stress adaptation in Magnaporthe oryzae during host intracellular infection

Plant pathogenic fungi elaborate numerous detoxification strategies to suppress host reactive oxygen species (ROS), but their coordination is not well-understood. Here, we show that Sirt5-mediated protein desuccinylation in Magnaporthe oryzae is central to host ROS detoxification. SIRT5 encodes a desuccinylase important for virulence via adaptation to host oxidative stress. Quantitative proteomics analysis identified a large number of succinylated proteins targeted by Sirt5, most of which were mitochondrial proteins involved in oxidative phosphorylation, TCA cycle, and fatty acid oxidation. Deletion of SIRT5 resulted in hypersuccinylation of detoxification-related enzymes, and significant reduction in NADPH : NADP+ and GSH : GSSG ratios, disrupting redox balance and impeding invasive growth. Sirt5 desuccinylated thioredoxin Trx2 and glutathione peroxidase Hyr1 to activate their enzyme activity, likely by affecting proper folding. Altogether, this work demonstrates the importance of Sirt5-mediated desuccinylation in controlling fungal process required for detoxifying host ROS during M. oryzae infection.

Sir2-mediated cytoplasmic deacetylation facilitates pathogenic fungi infection in host plants

Lysine acetylation is an evolutionarily conserved and widespread post-translational modification implicated in the regulation of multiple metabolic processes, but its function remains largely unknown in plant pathogenic fungi. A comprehensive analysis combined with proteomic, molecular and cellular approaches was presented to explore the roles of cytoplasmic acetylation in Fusarium oxsysporum f.sp. lycopersici (Fol). The divergent cytoplasmic deacetylase FolSir2 was biochemically characterized, which is contributing to fungal virulence. Based on this, a total of 1752 acetylated sites in 897 proteins were identified in Fol via LC-MS/MS analysis. Further analyses of the quantitative acetylome revealed that 115 proteins representing two major pathways, translational and ribosome biogenesis, were hyperacetylated in the ∆Folsir2 strain. We experimentally examined the regulatory roles of FolSir2 on K271 deacetylation of FolGsk3, a serine/tyrosine kinase implicated in a variety of cellular functions, which was found to be crucial for the activation of FolGsk3 and thus modulated Fol pathogenicity. Cytoplasmic deacetylation by FolSir2 homologues has a similar function in Botrytis cinerea and likely other fungal pathogens. These findings reveal a conserved mechanism of silent information regulator 2-mediated cytoplasmic deacetylation that is involved in plant-fungal pathogenicity, providing a candidate target for designing broad-spectrum fungicides to control plant diseases.

Crotonylation and disease: Current progress and future perspectives

Histone lysine crotonylation was first identified as a new type of post-translational modification in 2011. In recent years, prominent progress has been made in the study of histone and nonhistone crotonylation in reproduction, development, and disease. Although the regulatory enzyme systems and targets of crotonylation partially overlap with those of acetylation, the peculiar CC bond structure of crotonylation suggests that crotonylation may have specific biological functions. In this review, we summarize the latest research progress regarding crotonylation, especially its regulatory factors and relationship with diseases, which suggest further research directions for crotonylation and provide new ideas for developing disease intervention and treatment regimens.

Post-Translational Modification β-Hydroxybutyrylation Regulates Ustilaginoidea virens Virulence

Lysine β-hydroxybutyrylation (Kbhb) is an evolutionarily conserved and widespread post-translational modification that is associated with active gene transcription and cellular proliferation. However, its role in phytopathogenic fungi remains unknown. Here, we characterized Kbhb in the rice false smut fungus Ustilaginoidea virens. We identified 2204 Kbhb sites in 852 proteins, which are involved in diverse biological processes. The mitogen-activated protein kinase UvSlt2 is a Kbhb protein, and a strain harboring a point mutation at K72, the Kbhb site of this protein, had decreased UvSlt2 activity and reduced fungal virulence. Molecular dynamic simulations revealed that K72bhb increases the hydrophobic solvent-accessible surface area of UvSlt2, thereby affecting its binding to its substrates. The mutation of K298bhb in the septin UvCdc10 resulted in reduced virulence and altered the subcellular localization of this protein. Moreover, we confirmed that the NAD+-dependent histone deacetylases UvSirt2 and UvSirt5 are the major enzymes that remove Kbhb in U. virens. Collectively, our findings identify regulatory elements of the Kbhb pathway and reveal important roles for Kbhb in regulating protein localization and enzymatic activity. These findings provide insight into the regulation of virulence in phytopathogenic fungi via post-translational modifications.

GAR-transferase contributes to purine synthesis and mitochondrion function to maintain fungal development and full virulence of Penicillium digitatum

Penicillium digitatum is one of the most critical phytopathogens during the citrus postharvest period. However, the molecular mechanism of pathogenesis remains to be further explored. Purine is a multiple functional substance in organisms. To verify the role of the de novo purine biosynthesis (DNPB) pathway in P. digitatum, we investigated the third gene Pdgart, glycinamide ribonucleotide (GAR)-transferase, of this pathway in this study. The deletion mutant ΔPdgart was generated in the principle of homologous recombination via Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation (ATMT). The phenotypic assay indicated that the ΔPdgart mutant displayed severe defects in hyphae growth, conidiation and germination, which can be rescued by the addition of exogenous ATP and AMP. Compared with wild-type strain N1, the ATP level of strain ΔPdgart was detected to be sharply declined during conidial germination, and this was resulted from the damage to purine synthesis and aerobic respiration. The pathogenicity assay suggested that mutant ΔPdgart infected citrus fruit but attenuated disease, which was owing to its reduced production of organic acids and activities of cell wall degradation enzymes. Additionally, the ΔPdgart mutant showed altered sensitivity to stress agents and fungicides. Taken together, the present study provides insights into the essential functions of Pdgart, and paves the way for further study and novel fungicide development.

Pathogenic fungi neutralize plant-derived ROS via Srpk1 deacetylation

In response to infection, plants can induce the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) to restrict pathogen invasion. In turn, adapted pathogens have evolved a counteracting mechanism of enzymatic ROS detoxification, but how it is activated remains elusive. Here, we show that in the tomato vascular wilt pathogen Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici (Fol) this process is initiated by deacetylation of the FolSrpk1 kinase. Upon ROS exposure, Fol decreases FolSrpk1 acetylation on the K304 residue by altering the expression of the acetylation-controlling enzymes. Deacetylated FolSrpk1 disassociates from the cytoplasmic FolAha1 protein, thus enabling its nuclear translocation. Increased accumulation of FolSrpk1 in the nucleus allows for hyperphosphorylation of its phosphorylation target FolSr1 that subsequently enhances transcription of different types of antioxidant enzymes. Secretion of these enzymes removes plant-produced H₂ O₂ , and enables successful Fol invasion. Deacetylation of FolSrpk1 homologs has a similar function in Botrytis cinerea and likely other fungal pathogens. These findings reveal a conserved mechanism for initiation of ROS detoxification upon plant fungal infection.

The secreted FolAsp aspartic protease facilitates the virulence of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici

Pathogens utilize secretory effectors to manipulate plant defense. Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici (Fol) is the causal agent of Fusarium wilt disease in tomatoes. We previously identified 32 secreted effector candidates by LC-MS analysis. In this study, we functionally identified one of the secreted proteins, FolAsp, which belongs to the aspartic proteases (Asp) family. The FolAsp was upregulated with host root specifically induction. Its N-terminal 1-19 amino acids performed the secretion activity in the yeast system, which supported its secretion in Fol. Phenotypically, the growth and conidia production of the FolAsp deletion mutants were not changed; however, the mutants displayed significantly reduced virulence to the host tomato. Further study revealed the FolAsp was localized at the apoplast and inhibited INF1-induced cell death in planta. Meanwhile, FolAsp could inhibit flg22-mediated ROS burst. Furthermore, FolAsp displayed protease activity on host protein, and overexpression of FolAsp in Fol enhanced pathogen virulence. These results considerably extend our understanding of pathogens utilizing secreted protease to inhibit plant defense and promote its virulence, which provides potential applications for tomato improvement against disease as the new drug target.

Broad-spectrum chemicals block ROS detoxification to prevent plant fungal invasion

Plant diseases cause a huge impact on food security and are of global concern. While application of agrochemicals is a common approach in the control of plant diseases currently, growing drug resistance and the impact of off-target effects of these compounds pose major challenges. The identification of pathogenicity-related virulence mechanisms and development of new chemicals that target these processes are urgently needed. One such virulence mechanism is the detoxification of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by host plants upon attack by pathogens. The machinery of ROS detoxification might therefore serve as a drug target for preventing plant diseases, but few anti-ROS-scavenging drugs have been developed. Here, we show that in the model system Botrytis cinerea secretion of the cytochrome c-peroxidase, BcCcp1 removes plant-produced H₂O₂ and promotes pathogen invasion. The peroxidase secretion is modulated by a Tom1-like protein, BcTol1, through physical interaction. We show that BcTol1 is regulated at different levels to enhance the secretion of BcCcp1 during the early infection stage. Inactivation of either BcTol1 or BcCcp1 leads to dramatically reduced virulence of B. cinerea. We identify two BcTol1-targeting small molecules that not only prevent B. cinerea invasion but also have effective activity against a wide range of plant fungal pathogens without detectable effect on the hosts. These findings reveal a conserved mechanism of ROS detoxification in fungi and provide a class of potential fungicides to control diverse plant diseases. The approach described here has wide implications for further drug discovery in related fields.

Marine Natural Product Antimycin A Suppresses Wheat Blast Disease Caused by Magnaporthe oryzae Triticum

The application of chemical pesticides to protect agricultural crops from pests and diseases is discouraged due to their harmful effects on humans and the environment. Therefore, alternative approaches for crop protection through microbial or microbe-originated pesticides have been gaining momentum. Wheat blast is a destructive fungal disease caused by the Magnaporthe oryzae Triticum (MoT) pathotype, which poses a serious threat to global food security. Screening of secondary metabolites against MoT revealed that antimycin A isolated from a marine Streptomyces sp. had a significant inhibitory effect on mycelial growth in vitro. This study aimed to investigate the inhibitory effects of antimycin A on some critical life stages of MoT and evaluate the efficacy of wheat blast disease control using this natural product. A bioassay indicated that antimycin A suppressed mycelial growth (62.90%), conidiogenesis (100%), germination of conidia (42%), and the formation of appressoria in the germinated conidia (100%) of MoT at a 10 µg/mL concentration. Antimycin A suppressed MoT in a dose-dependent manner with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 0.005 μg/disk. If germinated, antimycin A induced abnormal germ tubes (4.8%) and suppressed the formation of appressoria. Interestingly, the application of antimycin A significantly suppressed wheat blast disease in both the seedling (100%) and heading stages (76.33%) of wheat at a 10 µg/mL concentration, supporting the results from in vitro study. This is the first report on the inhibition of mycelial growth, conidiogenesis, conidia germination, and detrimental morphological alterations in germinated conidia, and the suppression of wheat blast disease caused by a Triticum pathotype of M. Oryzae by antimycin A. Further study is required to unravel the precise mode of action of this promising natural compound for considering it as a biopesticide to combat wheat blast.

Quantitative Proteomic Analysis Reveals Important Roles of the Acetylation of ER-Resident Molecular Chaperones for Conidiation in Fusarium oxysporum

Fusarium oxysporum is one of the most abundant and diverse fungal species found in soils and includes nonpathogenic, endophytic, and pathogenic strains affecting a broad range of plant and animal hosts. Conidiation is the major mode of reproduction in many filamentous fungi, but the regulation of this process is largely unknown. Lysine acetylation (Kac) is an evolutionarily conserved and widespread posttranslational modification implicated in regulation of multiple metabolic processes. A total of 62 upregulated and 49 downregulated Kac proteins were identified in sporulating mycelia versus nonsporulating mycelia of F. oxysporum. Diverse cellular proteins, including glycolytic enzymes, ribosomal proteins, and endoplasmic reticulum–resident molecular chaperones, were differentially acetylated in the sporulation process. Altered Kac levels of three endoplasmic reticulum–resident molecular chaperones, PDI^K70, HSP70^K604, and HSP40^K32 were identified that with important roles in F. oxysporum conidiation. Specifically, K70 acetylation (K70ac) was found to be crucial for maintaining stability and activity of protein disulphide isomerase and the K604ac of HSP70 and K32ac of HSP40 suppressed the detoxification ability of these heat shock proteins, resulting in higher levels of protein aggregation. During conidial formation, an increased level of PDI^K70ac and decreased levels of HSP70^K604ac and HSP40^K32ac contributed to the proper processing of unfolded proteins and eliminated protein aggregation, which is beneficial for dramatic cell biological remodeling during conidiation in F. oxysporum.

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Importance and levels of acetylation in conidiation of Fusarium oxysporum.

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Protein folding was regulated by acetylation during conidiation.

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Acetylation modulates activities of ER-resident molecular chaperones.