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In vitro and in vivo inhibitory effects and transcriptional reactions of graphene oxide on Verticillium dahliae

Summary

Scientists discovered that graphene oxide, a nanomaterial, can effectively kill or inhibit the growth of Verticillium dahliae, a harmful fungus that causes wilt disease in cotton and other crops. The graphene oxide works by damaging the fungus’s cell membranes and disrupting its ability to grow and spread. When applied to cotton plants infected with this fungus, graphene oxide treatment reduced disease symptoms and prevented the fungus from multiplying. This research suggests graphene oxide could become a valuable alternative to chemical fungicides for controlling this destructive plant disease.

Background

Verticillium dahliae is a soil-borne fungal pathogen that causes devastating wilt diseases in plants by infiltrating roots and colonizing vascular tissues. Graphene oxide (GO) has shown antimicrobial properties against various pathogens, but its antifungal capabilities against plant pathogenic fungi remain understudied. This research explores GO’s potential as an antifungal agent against V. dahliae.

Objective

To investigate the inhibitory effects of graphene oxide on V. dahliae both in vitro and in vivo, and to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms through transcriptome analysis.

Results

GO significantly inhibited mycelial growth and spore germination of V. dahliae in a dose-dependent manner. Transcriptome analysis revealed 1,149 differentially expressed genes during hyphal elongation and 1,078 during spore germination. GO treatment disrupted cell membrane integrity, increased permeability, elevated MDA content, and caused leakage of DNA, RNA, and proteins. Downregulated genes primarily encoded membrane components, oxidoreductases, and transporters. In cotton plants, GO treatment significantly reduced V. dahliae infection and disease severity.

Conclusion

Graphene oxide effectively suppresses V. dahliae proliferation by disrupting cell membrane integrity, impairing cell wall synthesis, and downregulating genes involved in membrane biosynthesis and metabolic processes. These findings provide novel perspectives for developing GO-based antifungal agents to manage Verticillium wilt disease.
  • Published in:Microbiology Spectrum,
  • Study Type:Experimental Research,
  • Source: 10.1128/spectrum.01276-25, PMID: 41055400
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