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MrpacC regulates sporulation, insect cuticle penetration and immune evasion in M etarhizium robertsii
Author(s) -
Huang Wei,
Shang Yanfang,
Chen Peilin,
Gao Qiang,
Wang Chengshu
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
environmental microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.954
H-Index - 188
eISSN - 1462-2920
pISSN - 1462-2912
DOI - 10.1111/1462-2920.12451
Subject(s) - biology , virulence , gene , microbiology and biotechnology , chitinase , downregulation and upregulation , genetics
Summary pH ‐responsive transcription factor of the PacC / R im101 family governs adaptation to environment, development and virulence in many fungal pathogens. In this study, we report the functions of a PacC homologue, MrpacC , in an insect pathogenic fungus M etarhizium robertsii . The gene was highly transcribed in the fungus in alkaline conditions, and deletion of MrpacC impaired fungal responses to ambient pH and salt/metal challenges but not osmotic stress. We found that MrpacC is required for fungal full virulence by contributing to penetration of insect cuticles, mycosis of insect cadavers and evasion of host immunity. In MrpacC deletion strains, the chitinase but not protease activity was reduced, which was consistent with the downregulation of groups A and C chitinase genes. Further, the glucosyltransferase genes involved in cell wall remodelling and protein glycosylation were upregulated in Δ MrpacC . MrpacC transcriptional control of chitinase and glucosyltransferase genes was verified both by the presence of PacC consensus binding motif in gene promoter regions and the promoter DNA ‐binding assays. The results of this study not only advances the understanding of PacC function in fungal development and virulence, but will also facilitate future studies on the mechanism(s) behind the selective control of target genes by PacC .