MYCOLab Ai Logo - gold and army green

FONPS6, a Nonribosomal Peptide Synthetase, Plays a Crucial Role in Achieving the Full Virulence Potential of the Vascular Wilt Pathogen Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Niveum

Summary

This research explores how a specific fungal gene called FoNPS6 helps the watermelon-wilt-causing fungus Fusarium oxysporum attack plants. Scientists deleted this gene and found that mutant fungi were much less aggressive, couldn’t handle stress well, and struggled to penetrate plant roots. When the gene was restored, the fungi regained full virulence. The study reveals that FoNPS6 helps the fungus absorb iron and break down plant defense chemicals.

Background

Fusarium oxysporum is a soil-borne pathogen that causes vascular wilt diseases in economically significant crops. Nonribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPSs) are enzymes that produce secondary metabolites crucial for fungal pathogenicity, with NPS6 being a conserved member across ascomycetes known to influence virulence.

Objective

This study investigated the function of the FoNPS6 gene in F. oxysporum f. sp. niveum, examining its roles in fungal growth, morphology, stress sensitivity, allelochemical degradation, and pathogenesis on watermelon plants.

Results

The ΔFON-NPS6 mutant showed reduced radial growth, altered hyphal morphology, hypersensitivity to H2O2 and KO2, and sensitivity to iron depletion. The mutant exhibited significantly reduced virulence on watermelon with a disease index of 12.5% compared to 92% for wild-type. Complementation restored full virulence, and the mutant degraded phenolic acids in soil.

Conclusion

FoNPS6 is essential for achieving full virulence in F. oxysporum f. sp. niveum through siderophore-mediated iron acquisition and oxidative stress resistance. The gene quantitatively increases pathogenicity by enabling degradation of plant allelochemicals and supporting root penetration.
  • Published in:Life (Basel),
  • Study Type:Experimental Study,
  • Source: PMID: 40003551
Scroll to Top