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SsMet1 is a critical gene in methionine biosynthesis in Sclerotinia sclerotiorum

Summary

Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is a destructive plant pathogen causing white mold and other crop diseases. This study identified and deleted the SsMet1 gene, which is essential for methionine production in this fungus. Fungi lacking this gene could not grow properly, form survival structures called sclerotia, or infect plants. These findings suggest that blocking methionine biosynthesis could be a new way to develop fungicides against this important crop pathogen.

Background

Methionine is a key sulfur-containing amino acid essential for cellular metabolism in fungi. Genes encoding enzymes for methionine biosynthesis are critical for fungal survival. SsMet1 in Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is an orthologue of BcStr2, a gene characterized in Botrytis cinerea that plays a role in methionine biosynthesis.

Objective

This study aimed to characterize the SsMet1 gene in S. sclerotiorum by creating deletion mutants to evaluate its role in growth, virulence, sclerotial development, and stress response.

Results

SsMet1-deletion mutants were auxotrophic for methionine, unable to grow on minimal medium or produce sclerotia. Mutants showed increased sensitivity to osmotic, oxidative, and cell wall-damaging stresses. Virulence was restored with methionine supplementation. All defects were restored by genetic complementation.

Conclusion

SsMet1 plays a critical role in methionine biosynthesis, growth, virulence, sclerotial development, and stress response in S. sclerotiorum. SsMet1 represents a potential antifungal drug target, particularly as cystathionine γ-synthase is an established target for fungicide development.
  • Published in:Frontiers in Fungal Biology,
  • Study Type:Experimental Study,
  • Source: PMID: 40475292, DOI: 10.3389/ffunb.2025.1563395
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