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A GDP-mannose-1-phosphate guanylyltransferase as a potential HIGS target against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum

Summary

Scientists identified a critical fungal protein called SsMPG2 that helps the plant disease-causing fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum infect crops and survive. When this protein is silenced using genetic engineering techniques, plants become resistant to the fungus. The research shows this protein is important in many plant-pathogenic fungi, making it a promising target for developing disease-resistant crops through genetic modification.

Background

Sclerotinia stem rot is a devastating disease affecting vegetables and oil crops worldwide, caused by the necrotrophic ascomycete Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. Host-induced gene silencing (HIGS) has shown promise in disease control, but effective HIGS target genes against S. sclerotiorum remain limited. This study identifies GDP-mannose pyrophosphorylase (GMPP) components as potential targets.

Objective

To identify and characterize OA-independent virulence factors in S. sclerotiorum through forward genetic analysis. To demonstrate that SsMPG2, a GDP-mannose pyrophosphorylase, is critical for fungal virulence and represents a viable HIGS target for disease control.

Results

SsMPG2 knockout mutants exhibited abnormal sclerotia, defective compound appressoria, and reduced virulence with compromised cell wall integrity and protein glycosylation. SsMPG2 interacts with essential SsMPG1, and downstream O-mannosyltransferase SsPMT4 is critical for virulence. MPG2 orthologs in Botrytis cinerea, Magnaporthe oryzae, and Fusarium graminearum showed similar virulence roles. HIGS targeting SsMPG1 and SsMPG2 significantly reduced disease symptoms in transgenic plants.

Conclusion

GMPP components SsMPG1 and SsMPG2 play critical roles in fungal virulence through their effects on GDP-mannose synthesis and protein glycosylation. MPGs represent promising and conserved HIGS targets across multiple phytopathogenic fungi for controlling Sclerotinia stem rot and potentially other fungal diseases.
  • Published in:PLoS Pathogens,
  • Study Type:Experimental Research Study,
  • Source: PMID: 40315235, DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1013129
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