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Calcofluor white hypersensitive proteins contribute to stress tolerance and pathogenicity in entomopathogenic fungus, Metarhizium acridum
Author(s) -
Su Xueling,
Yan Xi,
Chen Xing,
Guo Mei,
Xia Yuxian,
Cao Yueqing
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
pest management science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.296
H-Index - 125
eISSN - 1526-4998
pISSN - 1526-498X
DOI - 10.1002/ps.6218
Subject(s) - entomopathogenic fungus , biology , cell wall , microbiology and biotechnology , virulence , mutant , pathogenic fungus , chitin , conidium , fungus , biochemistry , beauveria bassiana , botany , gene , biological pest control , chitosan
BACKGROUND Fungal cell wall integrity is vital for fungal pathogenesis and stress tolerance. Calcofluor white (CFW), a cell wall perturbing agent, inhibits fungal growth by binding chitin in the cell wall. The roles of CFW sensitive proteins remain insufficiently understood in pathogenic fungi. RESULTS We investigated two calcofluor white hypersensitive proteins, MaCwh1 and MaCwh43, in the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium acridum . Both Green fluorescent protein (GFP)‐tagged MaCwh1 and MaCwh43 localized at the endoplasmic reticulum. Our results showed that the Δ Macwh1 and Δ Macwh43 mutants were more sensitive to CFW and ultraviolet irradiation stress compared to wild‐type and complement strains. Δ Macwh1 had a stronger sensitivity to these stresses than Δ Macwh43 . Both Δ Macwh1 and Δ Macwh43 mutants showed smoother cell wall surface, and drastically reduced chitin and mannose glycoprotein level in the cell wall and glycerol level in conidia compared to wild type. Insect bioassay showed significantly attenuated virulence for both Δ Macwh1 and Δ Macwh43 mutants with impaired ability in penetrating the host cuticle. RNA‐Seq analysis revealed that a large number of genes presumably involved in cell wall construction and modification, pathogenicity and stress response were down‐regulated in both Δ Macwh1 and Δ Macwh43 mutants. CONCLUSIONS These findings demonstrate that both Macwh1 and Macwh43 affect the fungal cell wall ultrastructure and contribute to the stress tolerance and pest control potential in M. acrdium . © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry