Aug 2026· Pest Management Science· 0 citations· 68 references
Medicine
TL;DR
These results position MoHym1 as a multifunctional coordinator of development, cell cycle, and virulence, thereby providing a new target for the control of rice blast.
Abstract
Background
The rice blast fungus, Magnaporthe oryzae, poses a serious threat to global rice production. Cell cycle and polarized growth are two essential processes for host infection of M. oryzae; however, the association of them remains largely unknown.
Results
MoHym1, a homolog of yeast RAM (regulation of Ace2 and morphogenesis) network component, was identified as a key regulator for fungal development and pathogenicity in M. oryzae. Deletion of MoHYM1 resulted in severe defects in vegetative growth, conidiation, polarized growth, cell wall integrity, surface hydrophobicity, and secretion of virulence-associated enzymes, which are essential prerequisites for effective host infection. Furthermore, disruption of MoHYM1 led to abnormal nuclear division and disrupted cell cycle progression while also increasing resistance to DNA-damaging agents hydroxyurea and bleomycin. Yeast-two-hybrid screening revealed interactions with proteins related to adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthesis.
The findings deepen the understanding of epitranscriptomic regulation in fungal pathogenicity and represent a potential candidate for future target-based intervention strategies, pending validation through chemical or genetic approaches.
Wheat Fusarium head blight (FHB) is a globally prevalent and destructive fungal disease predominantly caused by Fusarium graminearum. Pydiflumetofen, a novel succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor (SDHI) fungicide, exhibits strong inhibitory activity against F. graminearum; however, the molecular regulatory mechanisms underlying the field-developed resistance in this pathogen remain poorly defined. In the present study, a field-evolved resistant isolate W24-039 and a sensitive isolate W24-016 were subjected to multi-omics analysis. The sequencing results identified compound mutations C89S/A93V in SdhC2, and A21T/S30F in SdhD of the resistant strain, which confer stable fungicide resistance without any detectable fitness costs. Physiological tests revealed that these target mutations sustain the homeostasis of succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activity and intracellular ATP production. Following pydiflumetofen treatment, the sensitive isolate displayed remarkable declines in SDH activity, intracellular ATP content and deoxynivalenol (DON) biosynthesis, accompanied by markedly elevated cell membrane permeability. Transcriptomic sequencing uncovered 2221 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the sensitive strain under fungicide stress, and 2566 DEGs in the resistant isolate under the same conditions. The genes associated with detoxification and drug efflux, including cytochrome P450, glutathione S-transferase (GST), ABC and MFS transporters, were significantly upregulated in the resistant isolate. Metabolomic analysis indicated that differential metabolites were mainly enriched in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, amino acid metabolism and membrane lipid biosynthesis pathways. The resistant strain maintained intact TCA cycle operation and accumulated high levels of pivotal metabolites such as phosphatidylcholine, unsaturated fatty acids and reduced glutathione. Integrated multi-omics analysis verified that the ABC transporter and glutathione metabolism pathways serve as core regulatory modules governing fungicide resistance. Collectively, F. graminearum develops resistance via the synergistic effects of SDH compound mutations, enhanced detoxification and efflux, and global metabolic remodeling, demonstrating that target-site mutation alone is not the sole driver of resistance, which is instead controlled by an intricate regulatory network involving multiple coordinated pathways. This study systematically characterizes the resistance regulatory network of F. graminearum against pydiflumetofen, and provides theoretical guidance for the rational application and sustainable field resistance management of this fungicide.
Yun Wang, Dongmei Liu, Haiyan Yin et al.· International Journal of Mol...· 0 citations
The SUN family protein MoSun4 in Magnaporthe oryzae has been previously implicated in mitophagy and has potential as a target for reducing rice blast, but its role as a secreted protein remains poorly understood. In this study, signal peptide prediction and yeast secretion assays confirmed MoSun4 signal peptide function, and co-localization revealed the localization of the extra-invasive hyphal membrane (EIHM)-associated apoplastic compartment or matrix, establishing MoSun4 as a secreted protein. In addition, deletion of the MoSUN4 gene reduced the hyphal growth, conidiation and virulence of M. oryzae. We further showed that MoSun4 is involved in regulating the expression of virulence-related genes, including multiple genes involved in cell wall degradation (eglC, eglD), secondary metabolism (gliK), and melanin biosynthesis (SDH1, BUF1, Cmr1, ALB1). Collectively, our study reveals that MoSun4 is a secreted protein that contributes to pathogenicity and is associated with altered expression of virulence-related genes, providing new insights into the functions of SUN family proteins.
Huimin Li, Zhenhe Su, Xiaomeng Liu et al.· Journal of Fungi· 0 citations
It is reported that the methyltransferase FpLaeA is a global regulator essential for F. proliferatum pathogenicity and a target for integrated control of F. proliferatum and its associated mycotoxin risk.
Ling Wang, Shaoqing Tang, Weiyang Liao et al.· Journal of Agricultural and...· 0 citations
Findings underscore a significant role for VdOMO in siderophore-associated iron acquisition, fungal development, stress adaptation, and the early stages of host colonization in V. dahliae.
Yusha Du, Lixinyu Sun, Kang-Wei Xie et al.· Frontiers in Plant Science· 0 citations
Molecular insights of host–pathogen interactions offer decoding of sustainable strategies for developing resilient cultivars and effective management of false smut disease, highlighting stage-specific pathogenicity genes and rice defense mechanisms that control false smut disease development.
P. Parmar, B. Bashyal· Plant Molecular Biology· 0 citations
