Open AccessFlippases play specific but distinct roles in the development, pathogenicity, and secondary metabolism of Fusarium graminearum
Author(s) -
Yun Yingzi,
Guo Pusheng,
Zhang Jing,
You Haixia,
Guo Pingting,
Deng Huobin,
Hao Yixin,
Zhang Limei,
Wang Xueyu,
Abubakar Yakubu Saddeeq,
Zhou Jie,
Lu Guodong,
Wang Zonghua,
Zheng Wenhui
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
molecular plant pathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.945
H-Index - 103
eISSN - 1364-3703
pISSN - 1464-6722
DOI - 10.1111/mpp.12985
Subject(s) - biology , flippase , biogenesis , transmembrane protein , virulence , microbiology and biotechnology , secondary metabolism , trichothecene , atp binding cassette transporter , compartmentalization (fire protection) , gene , genetics , transporter , biosynthesis , biochemistry , fusarium , receptor , membrane , enzyme , phospholipid , phosphatidylserine
The membrane trafficking system is important for compartmentalization of the biosynthesis pathway and secretion of deoxynivalenol (DON) mycotoxin (a virulence factor) in Fusarium graminearum . Flippases are transmembrane lipid transporters and mediate a number of essential physiological steps of membrane trafficking, including vesicle budding, charging, and protein diffusion within the membrane. However, the roles of flippases in secondary metabolism remain unknown in filamentous fungi. Herein, we identified five flippases (FgDnfA, FgDnfB, FgDnfC1, FgDnfC2, and FgDnfD) in F. graminearum and established their specific and redundant functions in the development and pathogenicity of this phytopathogenic fungus. Our results demonstrate that FgDnfA is critical for normal vegetative growth while the other flippases are dispensable. FgDnfA and FgDnfD were found crucial for the fungal pathogenesis, and a remarkable reduction in DON production was observed in Δ FgDNFA and Δ FgDNFD . Deletion of the FgDNFB gene increased DON production to about 30 times that produced by the wild type. Further analysis showed that FgDnfA and FgDnfD have positive roles in the regulation of trichothecene (TRI) genes ( TRI1 , TRI4 , TRI5 , TRI6 , TRI12 , and TRI101 ) expression and toxisome reorganization, while FgDnfB acts as a negative regulator of DON synthesis. In addition, FgDnfB and FgDnfD have redundant functions in the regulation of phosphatidylcholine transport, and double deletion of FgDNFB and FgDNFD showed serious defects in fungal development, DON synthesis, and virulence. Collectively, our findings reveal the distinct and specific functions of flippase family members in F. graminearum and principally demonstrate that FgDnfA, FgDnfD, and FgDnfB have specific spatiotemporal roles during toxisome biogenesis.