Wang, K.; Wang, S.; Wang, T.; Xia, Q.; Xia, S. The Sclerotinia sclerotiorum ADP-Ribosylation Factor 6 Plays an Essential Role in Abiotic Stress Response and Fungal Virulence to Host Plants. J. Fungi2024, 10, 12.
Wang, K.; Wang, S.; Wang, T.; Xia, Q.; Xia, S. The Sclerotinia sclerotiorum ADP-Ribosylation Factor 6 Plays an Essential Role in Abiotic Stress Response and Fungal Virulence to Host Plants. J. Fungi 2024, 10, 12.
Wang, K.; Wang, S.; Wang, T.; Xia, Q.; Xia, S. The Sclerotinia sclerotiorum ADP-Ribosylation Factor 6 Plays an Essential Role in Abiotic Stress Response and Fungal Virulence to Host Plants. J. Fungi2024, 10, 12.
Wang, K.; Wang, S.; Wang, T.; Xia, Q.; Xia, S. The Sclerotinia sclerotiorum ADP-Ribosylation Factor 6 Plays an Essential Role in Abiotic Stress Response and Fungal Virulence to Host Plants. J. Fungi 2024, 10, 12.
Abstract
The ADP-ribosylation factor 6 (Arf6), as the only member of the Arf family III protein, has been extensively studied for its diverse biological functions in animals. Previously, the Arf6 protein in Magnaporthe oryzae was found to be crucial for endocytosis and polarity establishment during asexual development. However, its role remains unclear in Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. Here, we identified and characterized SsArf6 in S. sclerotiorum using a reverse genetic approach. Deletion of SsArf6 impaired hyphal growth and development, and produced more branches. Interestingly, knockout of SsArf6 enhanced the tolerance of S. sclerotiorum to oxidative stress but the sensitivity to osmotic stress, and increased melanin accumulation, indicative of different roles of SsArf6 in various stress responses. Moreover, the appressorium formation was severely impaired, and fungal virulence to host plants was significantly reduced. Overall, our findings demonstrate the essential role of SsArf6 in hyphal development, stress responses, appressorium formation, and fungal virulence to host plants.
Biology and Life Sciences, Immunology and Microbiology
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