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Unveiling molecular mechanisms of strobilurin resistance in the cacao pathogen Moniliophthora perniciosa

Summary

This research reveals how a fungus that causes disease in cacao plants survives treatment with strobilurin fungicides, which are commonly used in agriculture. Scientists discovered that the fungus adapts by reorganizing its metabolism to compensate for the drug’s effects, activating detoxification systems, and in some cases, developing genetic mutations that enhance resistance. Understanding these survival mechanisms could help develop better strategies to control this economically important crop disease.

Background

Strobilurin fungicides are widely used in agriculture to inhibit mitochondrial respiration in fungal pathogens. However, these fungicides are ineffective against Moniliophthora perniciosa, which causes witches’ broom disease in cacao. The molecular mechanisms underlying strobilurin tolerance in this pathogen remain poorly understood.

Objective

To investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying strobilurin tolerance in M. perniciosa by analyzing transcriptomic responses to azoxystrobin exposure and identifying genomic variants associated with resistance emergence.

Results

M. perniciosa tolerates high azoxystrobin concentrations through metabolic reprogramming involving upregulation of catabolic pathways, respiratory chain components, and detoxification mechanisms. Long-term fungicide exposure led to emergence of a highly resistant mutant with mutations in putative growth and transcriptional regulators. The resistant phenotype was not explained by typical cytochrome b mutations or differences in alternative oxidase activity.

Conclusion

M. perniciosa employs multiple adaptive mechanisms including metabolic remodeling, detoxification enzyme activation, and altered transcriptional regulation to tolerate strobilurins. These findings provide insights for rational fungicide deployment and potential identification of new molecular targets to enhance fungicide efficacy in controlling witches’ broom disease.
  • Published in:iScience,
  • Study Type:Experimental Research Study,
  • Source: PMID: 40948559
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