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Published on: March 9, 2021
Effect of flutianil on the morphology and gene expression of powdery mildew
Sachi Kimura1, Yusuke Shibata2, Takao Oi2
1Research and Development Division, OAT Agrio Co., Ltd., Tokushima, Japan.
Abstract:
Flutianil, a fungicide effective only on powdery mildew, was previously reported to affect the host cell's haustorial formation and nutrient absorption. Studies were conducted to investigate flutianil's primary site of action on Blumeria graminis morphology using transmission electron microscope (TEM) observation and RNA sequencing (RAN-seq) techniques. TEM observation revealed that flutianil caused the extra-haustorial matrix and fungal cell wall to be obscured, without remarkable changes of other fungal organelles. RNA-seq analysis indicated that, unlike other powdery-mildew fungicides, flutianil did not significantly affect the constantly expressed genes for the survival of B. graminis. Genes whose expression is up- or downregulated by flutianil were found; these are the three sugar transporter genes and various effector genes, mainly expressed in haustoria. These findings indicate that the primary site of action of flutianil might be in the haustoria.
Insights
Flutianil, a fungicide for powdery mildew, primarily targets haustoria. This study used microscopy and RNA sequencing to reveal its specific action on fungal sugar transporters and effector genes within haustoria.
Area of Science:
- Plant Pathology
- Mycology
- Fungal Genetics
Background:
- Flutianil is a fungicide specifically targeting powdery mildew.
- Previous research indicated its interference with host cell haustorial formation and nutrient uptake.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the primary site of action of flutianil on *Blumeria graminis* morphology.
- To investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying flutianil's fungicidal activity.
Main Methods:
- Transmission electron microscope (TEM) observation of fungal morphology.
- RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) to analyze gene expression changes in response to flutianil.
Main Results:
- TEM revealed obscured extra-haustorial matrix and fungal cell walls, with no significant organelle changes.
- RNA-seq showed flutianil did not affect essential survival genes but altered expression of sugar transporter and effector genes.
- Affected genes were primarily expressed in haustoria, suggesting their role in flutianil's action.
Conclusions:
- Flutianil's primary site of action is likely within the haustoria of *Blumeria graminis*.
- The fungicide specifically impacts genes involved in nutrient transport and effector functions localized in haustoria.
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