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Pex8, a Fungal Specific Peroxin, Regulates Peroxisome Biogenesis and Pathogenicity in the Cucumber Anthracnose Fungus

Xinhe Wang1, Jing Wang2, Shendan Yu2

  • 1Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Biology and Ecological Regulation of Crop Pathogens and Insects, College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, China.

Journal of Fungi (Basel, Switzerland)
|April 27, 2026
PubMed

Insights

The study found that CoPEX8 is essential for peroxisome biogenesis in the fungus Colletotrichum orbiculare. Deleting CoPEX8 severely impacts fungal development and virulence, highlighting its critical role.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Cell Biology
  • Plant Pathology

Background:

  • Peroxisomes are vital eukaryotic organelles involved in fungal pathogenesis.
  • Peroxisome biogenesis relies on PEX genes, with Pex8 being a fungus-specific peroxin.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the function of the CoPEX8 gene in the cucumber anthracnose fungus Colletotrichum orbiculare.
  • To determine the role of CoPEX8 in peroxisome biogenesis, fungal development, and virulence.

Main Methods:

  • Targeted gene deletion of CoPEX8 in C. orbiculare.
  • Fluorescence microscopy to assess peroxisome function and matrix protein import.
  • Phenotypic analyses including melanin production, stress tolerance, conidiation, appressorium formation, and pathogenicity assays.

Main Results:

  • Deletion of CoPEX8 abolished matrix protein import and led to the absence of detectable peroxisomes.
  • The ΔCopex8 mutant exhibited defects in melanin production, fatty acid utilization, cell wall integrity, osmotic stress tolerance, and ROS scavenging.
  • CoPEX8 deletion reduced conidiation, impaired appressorium formation, and significantly decreased fungal virulence on cucumber leaves.

Conclusions:

  • CoPEX8 is indispensable for peroxisome biogenesis in C. orbiculare.
  • CoPEX8 is essential for the development and virulence of C. orbiculare, playing a critical role in fungal pathogenesis.
Keywords:
CoPEX8Colletotrichum orbiculareappressoriumpathogenicityperoxisome

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