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Updated: May 31, 2026
Profiling Thiol Redox Proteome Using Isotope Tagging Mass Spectrometry
Published on: March 24, 2012
Biochemical, transcriptomics, and metabolomics analyses reveal coordinated antioxidant responses in Penicillium
Zhengli Wang1, Shihao Liu1, Huihui Xu1
1College of Agricultural Engineering and Food Science, Shandong University of Technology, Zi'bo, 255049, People's Republic of China.
Abstract:
Antioxidant metabolism plays a key role in maintaining redox balance and enhancing adaptive capacity in postharvest fungal pathogens. However, the mechanism by which Penicillium digitatum adapts under modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) conditions remains unclear. To investigate this, integrated biochemical, transcriptomic, and metabolomic analyses were conducted on P. digitatum exposed to Air, controlled atmosphere (CA), and MAP treatments for three days. Transcriptomic profiling on day 3, identified 75 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with antioxidant pathways, while metabolomic analysis revealed 4 differentially accumulated metabolites. Under both CA and MAP treatments, enhanced fatty acid β-oxidation was associated with increased reactive oxygen species (ROS), specifically hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and superoxide anion. Moreover, MAP-adapted P. digitatum efficiently scavenged H2O2, as supported by biochemical assays showing increases in catalase (CAT) activity and moderate elevation of superoxide dismutase activity. MAP treatment was associated with transcriptional reprogramming of the HOG-MAPK signaling pathway and downregulated the transcription factor Sko1, which was correlated with CAT expression and activity. Additionally, MAP promoted ascorbic acid biosynthesis via upregulation of D-glucarate dehydratase and L-gulonate dehydrogenase, and strengthened the glutathione cycle through upregulation of glutathione reductase and glutathione peroxidase. Inhibition of CAT of pathogen by 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole under MAP conditions suppressed fungal growth, suggesting its critical role in adaptive antioxidant defense. Finally, qRT-PCR validation of eight key DEGs confirmed the transcriptomic patterns. In conclusion, these coordinated responses under MAP conditions were associated with enhanced ROS scavenging and alleviated oxidative damage and provided new insights into the adaptive antioxidant mechanism of P. digitatum.
