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The phenol-2-monooxygenase FgPhm1 regulates DON synthesis, pathogenicity and environmental stress response in Fusarium graminearum

Summary

Researchers studied a fungal protein called FgPhm1 in a wheat-infecting fungus that produces harmful toxins called DON. By deleting this gene, they found that the fungus became unable to infect plants and produce toxins, making it less dangerous. The protein also helps the fungus handle stress conditions, and removing it makes the fungus sensitive to oxidative stress while paradoxically tolerant to phenol.

Background

Fusarium graminearum is a devastating plant pathogenic fungus that produces mycotoxins and causes Fusarium head blight. Phenol-2-monooxygenase is an oxidoreductase responsible for converting phenol to catechol, but its role in filamentous fungi remains unclear.

Objective

This study investigated the role of phenol-2-monooxygenase gene FgPHM1 in F. graminearum to determine its function in vegetative growth, reproduction, DON production, pathogenicity, and stress response.

Results

FgPhm1 deletion led to defects in vegetative growth, conidiation, sexual reproduction, and plant infection. The mutant showed severely reduced DON production and inability to form toxisomes. Interestingly, the mutant was tolerant to phenol stress but sensitive to catechol and oxidative stress, and FgPhm1 was required for ROS production and autophagy regulation.

Conclusion

FgPhm1 is essential for F. graminearum development, DON synthesis, pathogenicity, and stress tolerance. The protein represents a potential target for Fusarium head blight control, and this is the first comprehensive functional analysis of phenol-2-monooxygenase in plant pathogenic fungi.
  • Published in:Virulence,
  • Study Type:Experimental Research,
  • Source: PMID: 40966160, DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2025.2563017
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