Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 25, 2026
09:21
Inhibition of Aspergillus flavus Growth and Aflatoxin Production in Transgenic Maize Expressing the α-amylase Inhibitor from Lablab purpureus L.
Published on: February 15, 2019
Temporally programmed virulence cascade drives progressive maize root rot by Fusarium graminearum
Mingjian Hu1,2, Wenxiu Niu1, Honglan Chen1
1State Key Laboratory of High-Efficiency Production of Wheat-Maize Double Cropping, Henan Agricultural University, No. 218 Ping'an Avenue, Zhengdong New Area, Zhengzhou 450046, China.
Plant Physiology
|June 24, 2026
Summary
Fusarium graminearum orchestrates virulence in three distinct phases during maize root colonization, impacting grain safety. Understanding these stages and key virulence factors like FgCPA1 offers new strategies against fungal disease.
Area of Science:
- Plant Pathology
- Mycology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Fusarium graminearum causes significant threats to grain safety through mycotoxin production.
- Early root colonization by F. graminearum compromises seedling vigor and facilitates stem invasion.
- The temporal coordination of F. graminearum virulence during early root infection is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the temporal dynamics of Fusarium graminearum virulence during early maize root colonization.
- To identify key fungal genes and pathways involved in distinct infection phases.
- To uncover potential anti-virulence targets for safeguarding grain quality.
Main Methods:
- High-resolution transcriptomics of F. graminearum infecting maize roots at 6-hour intervals over 48 hours post-infection.
- Analysis of fungal gene expression patterns across three identified infection phases: Penetration Initiation, Colonization Establishment, and Systemic Disruption.
- Functional characterization of candidate virulence factors, including FgCPA1, using plant cell death assays.
Main Results:
- Identified three distinct infection phases in maize roots: Penetration Initiation (0-6 hpi), Colonization Establishment (12 hpi), and Systemic Disruption (18-48 hpi).
- Delineated a three-phase virulence program involving effector secretion, nutrient acquisition, defense suppression, vascular degradation, and deoxynivalenol (DON) biosynthesis.
- Discovered FgCPA1, a carboxypeptidase A crucial for root colonization, whose protease domain induces cell death independently of its signal peptide.
Conclusions:
- A temporal framework for F. graminearum virulence coordination during root invasion and mycotoxin production was established.
- Phase-specific virulence mechanisms, including tissue invasion and immune suppression, were uncovered.
- FgCPA1 and other identified factors represent potential targets for developing anti-virulence strategies to protect grain.
