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Unveiling the Role Displayed by Penicillium digitatum PdMut3 Transcription Factor in Pathogen-Fruit Interaction
Marta de Ramón-Carbonell1, Paloma Sánchez-Torres1
1Instituto Valenciano de Investigaciones Agrarias (IVIA), Centro de Protección Vegetal y Biotecnología, 46113 Moncada, Spain.
Abstract:
Zn2Cys6 transcription factors are unique to fungi and are involved in different regulatory functions. In this study, we have identified the Penicillium digitatumPdMut3 gene, which encodes a putative Zn (II) 2Cys6 DNA-binding protein. Elimination of PdMut3 in Pd1 strain caused increased virulence during citrus infection. The transcription of the PdMut3 gene showed a higher expression rate during fungal growth and less transcription during fruit infection. Furthermore, the deletion of the gene in the wild-type isolate of P. digitatum did not produce any modification of the sensitivity to different fungicides, indicating that the gene is not associated with resistance to fungicides. In contrast, PdMut3 null mutants showed a reduction in growth in minimal media, which was associated with severe alterations in conidiophore development and morphological alterations of the hyphae. Mutants showed greater sensitivity to compounds that interfere with the cell wall and an invasive growth block. Thus, PdMut3 might have an indirect role in fungi virulence through metabolism and peroxisomes development.
Insights
The Penicillium digitatum PdMut3 gene, a Zn2Cys6 transcription factor, enhances fungal virulence in citrus. PdMut3 deletion impacts growth and cell wall integrity but not fungicide resistance.
Area of Science:
- Molecular biology
- Mycology
- Plant pathology
Background:
- Zn2Cys6 transcription factors are fungal-specific regulatory proteins.
- Understanding their roles is crucial for controlling fungal pathogens like Penicillium digitatum.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize the PdMut3 gene in Penicillium digitatum.
- To investigate the function of PdMut3 in fungal virulence, growth, and fungicide sensitivity.
Main Methods:
- Gene deletion and mutant generation in Penicillium digitatum.
- Virulence assays on citrus fruits.
- Gene expression analysis.
- Growth assays on minimal media and fungicide sensitivity tests.
Main Results:
- PdMut3 deletion increased virulence in citrus infections.
- PdMut3 expression was higher during growth and lower during fruit infection.
- Mutants exhibited reduced growth, altered conidiophore development, and hyphal morphology.
- Mutants showed increased sensitivity to cell wall-interfering compounds and impaired invasive growth.
- PdMut3 was not associated with fungicide resistance.
Conclusions:
- PdMut3 plays a significant role in Penicillium digitatum growth and development.
- The gene may indirectly contribute to fungal virulence via metabolism and peroxisome development.
- PdMut3 is not involved in fungicide resistance in this fungus.
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