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Functional Characterization of FgAsp, a Gene Coding an Aspartic Acid Protease in Fusarium graminearum

Summary

Scientists studied a specific gene called FgAsp in a fungus that causes wheat disease and produces harmful toxins. By deleting this gene, they found it controls important fungal processes like growth, reproduction, and the ability to infect wheat plants. The modified fungus produced less toxin and was less harmful, suggesting this gene could be targeted to develop new fungicides to protect crops.

Background

Aspartic proteases (APs) are hydrolytic enzymes with important roles in fungal pathogenesis and development. Fusarium graminearum causes Fusarium head blight (FHB) in wheat and produces deoxynivalenol (DON) toxin. The specific roles of aspartic proteases in F. graminearum growth, development, and pathogenicity remain unclear.

Objective

To characterize the function of FgAsp (FGSG_09558), a gene annotated as aspartic protease, in F. graminearum by constructing knockout and complementation mutants and investigating its roles in growth, development, pathogenicity, and stress response.

Results

FgAsp knockout mutants showed significant reductions in mycelial growth (19% decrease), asexual spore production (42.1% decrease), sexual spore formation, and virulence on wheat and corn tissues. DON toxin accumulation was reduced by 9.4-12.5%, with down-regulation of TRI5 and up-regulation of TRI101 genes. Knockout mutants showed severe sensitivity to hydrogen peroxide stress and reduced arabinose utilization.

Conclusion

FgAsp plays key roles in F. graminearum mycelial growth, conidial development, sexual reproduction, pathogenicity, DON toxin metabolism, and environmental stress tolerance, representing a potential target for fungicide development.
  • Published in:Journal of Fungi,
  • Study Type:Experimental Study,
  • Source: PMID: 39728375, DOI: 10.3390/jof10120879
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