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BDM1, a phosducin-like gene of Fusarium graminearum, is involved in virulence during infection of wheat and maize.

ABSTRACT: Fusarium graminearum is a common pathogen of wheat and maize throughout the world. Despite recent advances in the elucidation of the genetic basis of virulence, significant gaps in the regulatory network underlying pathogenesis remain to be filled. In particular, little is known at the molecular level about the overlap among mechanisms of pathogenicity on maize and wheat. G-protein signalling has been implicated in pathogenesis in F. graminearum, although the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. In this study, we investigated the involvement of a putative phosducin-like gene (BDM1) in growth, development and pathogenesis in F. graminearum. Targeted deletion of BDM1 revealed roles in sexual and asexual sporulation, germ tube development, hyphal branching and mycelial morphology. During pathogenesis, BDM1 is required for wild-type levels of colonization of maize silk tissue and stalks, but is dispensable for the colonization of kernels. The deletion of BDM1 also reduced the virulence of F. graminearum during the infection of wheat seedlings and heads, resulting in a significant reduction in fungal biomass and a delayed spread of visual symptom expression (i.e. bleaching in heads). Furthermore, BDM1 is required for wild-type levels of deoxynivalenol biosynthesis during the infection of wheat heads and maize silks. In summation, BDM1 is one of the few genes characterized to date in F. graminearum involved in virulence during infection of both maize and wheat. Thus, the functional characterization of BDM1 has established a new regulatory link between pathogenesis in maize and wheat, and provides a genetic resource through which the regulatory networks underlying virulence in F. graminearum can be further elucidated.

SUBMITTER: Horevaj P

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6638705 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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BDM1, a phosducin-like gene of Fusarium graminearum, is involved in virulence during infection of wheat and maize.

Horevaj Peter P Bluhm Burton H BH

Molecular plant pathology 20111101 5

Fusarium graminearum is a common pathogen of wheat and maize throughout the world. Despite recent advances in the elucidation of the genetic basis of virulence, significant gaps in the regulatory network underlying pathogenesis remain to be filled. In particular, little is known at the molecular level about the overlap among mechanisms of pathogenicity on maize and wheat. G-protein signalling has been implicated in pathogenesis in F. graminearum, although the underlying mechanisms are not fully ...[more]

PMID: 22044756

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Project description:BackgroundThe mycotoxin producing fungal pathogen Fusarium graminearum is the causal agent of Fusarium head blight (FHB) of small grain cereals in fields worldwide. Although F. graminearum is highly investigated by means of molecular genetics, detailed studies about hyphal development during initial infection stages are rare. In addition, the role of mycotoxins during initial infection stages of FHB is still unknown. Therefore, we investigated the infection strategy of the fungus on different floral organs of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under real time conditions by constitutive expression of the dsRed reporter gene in a TRI5prom::GFP mutant. Additionally, trichothecene induction during infection was visualised with a green fluorescent protein (GFP) coupled TRI5 promoter. A tissue specific infection pattern and TRI5 induction were tested by using different floral organs of wheat. Through combination of bioimaging and electron microscopy infection structures were identified and characterised. In addition, the role of trichothecene production for initial infection was elucidated by a ΔTRI5-GFP reporter strain.ResultsThe present investigation demonstrates the formation of foot structures and compound appressoria by F. graminearum. All infection structures developed from epiphytic runner hyphae. Compound appressoria including lobate appressoria and infection cushions were observed on inoculated caryopses, paleas, lemmas, and glumes of susceptible and resistant wheat cultivars. A specific trichothecene induction in infection structures was demonstrated by different imaging techniques. Interestingly, a ΔTRI5-GFP mutant formed the same infection structures and exhibited a similar symptom development compared to the wild type and the TRI5prom::GFP mutant.ConclusionsThe different specialised infection structures of F. graminearum on wheat florets, as described in this study, indicate that the penetration strategy of this fungus is far more complex than postulated to date. We show that trichothecene biosynthesis is specifically induced in infection structures, but is neither necessary for their development nor for formation of primary symptoms on wheat.

Dataset Information

BDM1, a phosducin-like gene of Fusarium graminearum, is involved in virulence during infection of wheat and maize.

Publications

BDM1, a phosducin-like gene of Fusarium graminearum, is involved in virulence during infection of wheat and maize.

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