Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 26, 2025

Small-Scale Plasma Membrane Preparation for the Analysis of Candida albicans Cdr1-mGFPHis
Published on: June 13, 2021
The Endoplasmic Reticulum Membrane Protein Complex Is Important for Deoxynivalenol Production and the Virulence of
Lei Chen1,2, Yaxian Liu1, Yu Wang1
1Department of Plant Pathology, College of Plant Protection, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an 271018, China.
Abstract:
Fusarium graminearum is recognized as the pathogen responsible for wheat head blight. It produces deoxynivalenol (DON) during infection, which endangers human health. DON biosynthesis occurs within toxisomes in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). In eukaryotes, the ER membrane protein complex (EMC) is critical for the ER's normal operation. However, the specific role of the EMC in F. graminearum remains poorly understood. In this study, six EMC subunits (FgEmc1-6) were identified in F. graminearum, and all of them were localized to the toxisomes. Our results demonstrate that the EMC is indispensable for vegetative growth and asexual and sexual reproduction, which are the fundamental life processes of F. graminearum. Importantly, EMC deletion led to reduced virulence in wheat spikes and petioles. Further investigation revealed that in ΔFgemc1-6, the expression of trichothecene (TRI) genes is decreased, the biosynthesis of lipid droplets (LDs) is diminished, toxisome formation is impaired, and DON production is reduced. Additionally, defects in the formation of the infection cushion were observed in ΔFgemc1-6. In conclusion, the EMC is involved in regulating growth and virulence in F. graminearum. This study enhances our understanding of the EMC functions in F. graminearum and offers valuable insights into potential targets for managing wheat head blight.
Related Concept Videos
Export of Misfolded Proteins out of the ER
Directing Proteins to the Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum
Regulation of the Unfolded Protein Response
The Unfolded Protein Response
Role of ER in the Secretory Pathway
Components of the secretory pathway
About a third of proteins synthesized in the cell are sorted via the secretory route. They shuffle between different compartments in membrane-bound vesicles until they reach their final destination. The main intracellular compartments involved...
Endoplasmic Reticulum

