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Distinct Function of Mediator Subunits in Fungal Development, Stress Response, and Secondary Metabolism in Maize

Zehua Zhou1,2, Huijuan Yan1,3, Man S Kim4

  • 1Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, U.S.A.

Phytopathology
|March 10, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Mediator complex subunits are crucial for fungal development, metabolism, and virulence in Fusarium verticillioides. Deleting FvMed1 increased fumonisin B1 production and revealed cytoplasmic functions for select subunits.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Mycology
  • Plant Pathology

Background:

  • The Mediator complex is a conserved eukaryotic regulator of gene expression, interacting with RNA polymerase II.
  • Systematic characterization of Mediator subunits is lacking in filamentous fungi, particularly in plant pathogens.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the biological functions of Mediator subunits in the mycotoxigenic fungus Fusarium verticillioides.
  • To understand the roles of Mediator subunits in fungal development, stress response, metabolism, and virulence.

Main Methods:

  • Generation and characterization of 11 Mediator subunit deletion mutants in F. verticillioides.
  • Phenotypic analysis including vegetative growth, conidia formation, stress response, nutrient utilization, virulence, and fumonisin B1 biosynthesis.

Main Results:

  • All 11 Mediator subunit deletion mutants exhibited defects in at least three tested phenotypes.
  • FvMed1 deletion resulted in increased fumonisin B1 production.
  • FvMed1 was observed to translocate from the nucleus to the cytoplasm under conditions of fumonisin production.

Conclusions:

  • Individual Mediator subunits possess distinct primary functions in F. verticillioides.
  • Select Mediator subunits may have unique cytoplasmic roles independent of the nuclear Mediator complex.
  • Mediator subunits are critical for F. verticillioides' development, metabolism, and pathogenicity.
Keywords:
Fusarium verticillioidesMediatorcytoplasmic translocationfumonisin B(1)fungal developmentsecondary metabolism

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