Bacillus velezensis EU07 suppresses Fusarium graminearum via transcriptomic reprogramming

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Plant Pathology
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Fusarium graminearum is a significant threat to global cereal production.
• Sustainable control measures are urgently needed to combat this pathogen.
• Bacillus velezensis EU07 is a promising biocontrol agent.

Purpose of the Study:

• To elucidate the antagonistic mechanism of Bacillus velezensis EU07 against Fusarium graminearum.
• To identify key fungal targets for next-generation biocontrol strategies.

Main Methods:

• Combined transcriptomic (RNA-seq) and morphological analyses were employed.
• Fungal responses to EU07 exposure were profiled.
• Molecular docking was used to assess interactions between EU07 components and fungal targets.

Main Results:

• EU07 caused severe hyphal distortion and compromised fungal cellular integrity.
• A profound transcriptomic collapse was observed, suppressing essential metabolic and virulence pathways.
• The pathogen mounted a defense involving amino acid transporters and glutathione S-transferases.
• EU07 targeted core vulnerabilities like PRODH and apolipophorin, disrupting osmotic resilience and membrane integrity.
• Bacillus lipopeptide iturin A showed high-affinity binding to apolipophorin.

Conclusions:

• Bacillus velezensis EU07 effectively controls Fusarium graminearum through simultaneous metabolic starvation and virulence loss.
• Key fungal vulnerabilities, including apolipophorin, were identified for targeted biocontrol.
• These findings pave the way for novel RNAi-based biocontrol approaches against Fusarium graminearum.