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CBC Complex Regulates Hyphal Growth, Sclerotial Quantity, and Pathogenicity in the Necrotrophic Fungus Botrytis cinerea

Summary

Scientists studied how two proteins (BcCbp20 and BcCbp80) work together in gray mold fungus, which destroys crops worldwide. These proteins control how the fungus grows, makes spores, forms long-term survival structures, and causes disease. The findings show that BcCbp80 is more important for growth and infection, while BcCbp20 helps the fungus survive stress. Understanding these proteins could help develop new antifungal treatments.

Background

The cap-binding protein complex (CBC), comprising Cbp20 and Cbp80, plays crucial roles in gene expression and RNA metabolism across eukaryotes. However, its function in the crop pathogen Botrytis cinerea remains unclear. Understanding CBC’s role in this devastating fungus could advance fungicide development strategies.

Objective

This study aimed to elucidate the interaction patterns between BcCbp20 and BcCbp80 and determine their distinct roles in regulating hyphal morphology, sporulation, sclerotium formation, stress responses, and pathogenicity in B. cinerea.

Results

BcCbp20 and BcCbp80 interact through conserved domains (RRM in BcCbp20 and N-terminal MIF4G in BcCbp80). BcCBP80 plays a dominant role in hyphal growth, conidiophore development, and conidial production, while BcCBP20 and BcCBP80 differentially regulate sclerotium formation. BcCBP80 is essential for infection cushion formation, and BcCBP20 deletion increases stress sensitivity, both contributing to reduced pathogenicity.

Conclusion

BcCBP20 and BcCBP80 play important but distinct roles in B. cinerea growth, development, stress response, and pathogenicity. BcCBP80 primarily regulates vegetative growth and infection structure formation, while BcCBP20 influences stress tolerance. These findings provide insights into plant-pathogen interactions and potential targets for novel fungicide development.
  • Published in:Journal of Fungi (Basel),
  • Study Type:Experimental Research,
  • Source: PMID: 40558941
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