Autophagy-related protein UvAtg14 contributes to mycelial growth, asexual reproduction, virulence and cell stress response in rice false smut fungus Ustilaginoidea virens

Phytopathology Research

Rongsheng Zhang¹  Yan Du¹  Huijuan Cao¹  Xiang He¹  Xiayan Pan¹  Mina Yu¹  Dong Liang¹  Zhongqiang Qi¹  Junjie Yu¹  Tianqiao Song¹  Yongfeng Liu¹ 

[1] Institute of Plant Protection, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences;

关键词: Ustilaginoidea virens;    Autophagy;    UvAtg14;    Mycelial growth;    Conidium;    Chlamydospore;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s42483-022-00116-2

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Abstract Autophagy is an evolutionarily conserved degradation process that degrades damaged proteins to maintain homeostasis and to protect cells against stress. In this study, we identified and characterized a critical autophagy-related protein, UvAtg14, in Ustilaginoidea virens, which is the ortholog of MoAtg14 in rice blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzea. UvAtg14 is co-localized with UvAtg8 (an autophagy marker protein) and is highly expressed at 1–3 days post-inoculation. Deletion of the UvATG14 gene blocked GFP-UvAtg8 trafficking and autophagic digestion and significantly reduced mycelial growth, asexual reproduction, and virulence of U. virens. UvATG14 deletion mutants also exhibited increased sensitivity to various abiotic stresses. Our findings indicate that UvAtg14 is a key autophagic protein and contributes to mycelial growth, conidia production, and pathogenicity in U. virens.

【 授权许可】

Unknown