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Biochemical and genetic characterization of Botrytis cinerea laboratory mutants resistant to propamidine
Xuhuan Zhang1, Ke Huang1, Mengwei Zhang1
1College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China.
Background:
Botrytis cinerea, the causal agent of gray mold, is one of the top 10 fungal pathogens in the world. Propamidine, an aromatic diamidine compound, exhibited both protective and therapeutic effects against B. cinerea. However, the resistance risk and mechanism of B. cinerea to propamidine are unclear.
Results:
Twelve high and stable resistant mutants were obtained from B. cinerea B05.10 by fungicide induction. Compared with the parental strain, the biological fitness of the mutants, including growth rate, spore germination, pathogenicity, and oxalic acid decreased significantly. There was no cross-resistance among propamidine and other commonly used fungicides, while the efficacy of propamidine against the resistance mutants declined. In addition, the cell membrane permeability, substance metabolism, and defense enzyme activities of the resistant mutants were significantly increased compared with the wild strain. Whole-genome sequencing of all resistant mutants found that there were 32 SNPs and nine InDels. Importantly, nine common single-point mutant genes in the exon region were found in all 12 resistant mutants, and these genes were related to multiple pathways in vivo, indicating that many factors contributed to the formation of propamidine resistance.
Conclusion:
These data suggested the resistance risk of B. cinerea to propamidine was low to moderate and the mechanism of propamidine was different from that of the existing fungicides. These results will increase understanding of the resistance mechanism of propamidine and provide a critical basis for the rational design of pesticide molecules based on targets. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Insights
The fungal pathogen Botrytis cinerea shows low to moderate resistance risk to propamidine, with significant fitness costs in resistant strains. Propamidine resistance mechanisms differ from existing fungicides, aiding in new pesticide design.
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Science
- Mycology
- Plant Pathology
Background:
- Botrytis cinerea is a major global fungal pathogen causing gray mold.
- Propamidine, an aromatic diamidine, has shown efficacy against B. cinerea.
- Understanding propamidine resistance in B. cinerea is crucial for disease management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the resistance risk and mechanism of Botrytis cinerea against propamidine.
- To characterize the biological fitness and genetic basis of propamidine resistance in B. cinerea.
Main Methods:
- Induction of stable resistant mutants from B. cinerea B05.10.
- Assessment of biological fitness (growth, spore germination, pathogenicity).
- Whole-genome sequencing to identify genetic mutations (SNPs, InDels).
Main Results:
- Resistant mutants exhibited significantly reduced biological fitness.
- No cross-resistance was observed with other common fungicides.
- Mutations in nine common genes across all resistant mutants were identified, suggesting multifactorial resistance.
- Increased cell membrane permeability and defense enzyme activity in resistant strains.
Conclusions:
- The resistance risk of B. cinerea to propamidine is low to moderate.
- Propamidine's mechanism of action differs from existing fungicides.
- Findings provide a basis for rational pesticide design targeting propamidine resistance.
