The small GTP ase MoYpt 7 is required for membrane fusion in autophagy and pathogenicity of M agnaporthe oryzae

Summary R ab GTP ases are required for vesicle–vacuolar fusion during vacuolar biogenesis in fungi. To date, little is known about the biological functions of the R ab small GTP ase components in M agnaporthe oryzae . In this study, we investigated MoYpt 7 of M . oryzae , a homologue of the small R as‐like GTP ase Ypt7 in S accharomyces cerevisiae . Cellular localization assays showed that MoYpt 7 was predominantly localized to vacuolar membranes. Using a targeted gene disruption strategy, a Δ MoYPT7 mutant was generated that exhibited defects in mycelial growth and production of conidia. The conidia of the Δ MoYPT7 mutant were malformed and defective in the formation of appressoria. Consequently, the Δ MoYPT7 mutant failed to cause disease in rice and barley. Furthermore, the Δ MoYPT7 mutant showed impairment in autophagy, breached cell wall integrity, and higher sensitivity to both calcium and heavy metal stress. Transformants constitutively expressing an active MoYPT7 allele ( MoYPT7 ‐ CA , G ln67 L eu) exhibited distinct phenotypes from the Δ MoYPT7 mutant. Expression of MoYPT7 ‐ CA in MoYpt 7 reduced pathogenicity and produced more appressoria‐forming single‐septum conidia. These results indicate that MoYPT7 is required for fungal morphogenesis, vacuole fusion, autophagy, stress resistance and pathogenicity in M . oryzae .