VdAHA1 positively regulate pathogenicity in Verticillium dahliae.

Area of Science:

• Molecular Biology
• Mycology
• Plant Pathology

Background:

• Activator of HSP90 ATPase 1 (AHA1) is a crucial co-chaperone protein.
• AHA1 interacts with HSP90, influencing various biological functions across species.
• The role of AHA1 in the fungal pathogen Verticillium dahliae (V. dahliae) remains largely unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the function of the VdAHA1 gene in V. dahliae.
• To determine the impact of VdAHA1 knockout on fungal growth, stress tolerance, and virulence.

Main Methods:

• Gene knockout of VdAHA1 in V. dahliae using homologous recombination.
• Analysis of ergosterol biosynthesis, melanin production, and gene expression (Vaflm, Vayg1, VdSCD).
• Assessment of conidial production, sensitivity to abiotic stresses, and virulence in cotton.

Main Results:

• VdAHA1 knockout mutants exhibited increased sensitivity to drugs targeting the ergosterol synthesis pathway, inhibiting ergosterol biosynthesis.
• Melanin production in microsclerotia was reduced, with decreased expression of related genes (Vaflm, Vayg1, VdSCD).
• Mutants showed reduced conidial production, increased sensitivity to abiotic stresses (temperature, SDS, CR, Sorbitol, NaCl, KCl), and lower ATP content, alongside significantly reduced virulence towards cotton.

Conclusions:

• VdAHA1 plays a critical role in V. dahliae.
• The VdAHA1 gene is essential for fungal growth, ergosterol biosynthesis, melanin production, and stress resistance.
• VdAHA1 is a key determinant of V. dahliae virulence in cotton.