The MAT locus genes play different roles in sexual reproduction and pathogenesis in Fusarium graminearum

PLoS One. 2013 Jun 24;8(6):e66980. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0066980. Print 2013.

Abstract

Sexual reproduction plays a critical role in the infection cycle of Fusarium graminearum because ascospores are the primary inoculum. As a homothallic ascomycete, F. graminearum contains both the MAT1-1 and MAT1-2-1 loci in the genome. To better understand their functions and regulations in sexual reproduction and pathogenesis, in this study we assayed the expression, interactions, and mutant phenotypes of individual MAT locus genes. Whereas the expression of MAT1-1-1 and MAT12-1 rapidly increased after perithecial induction and began to decline after 1 day post-perithecial induction (dpi), the expression of MAT1-1-2 and MAT1-1-3 peaked at 4 dpi. MAT1-1-2 and MAT1-1-3 had a similar expression profile and likely are controlled by a bidirectional promoter. Although none of the MAT locus genes were essential for perithecium formation, all of them were required for ascosporogenesis in self-crosses. In outcrosses, the mat11-1-2 and mat11-1-3 mutants were fertile but the mat1-1-1 and mat1-2-1 mutants displayed male- and female-specific defects, respectively. The mat1-2-1 mutant was reduced in FgSO expression and hyphal fusion. Mat1-1-2 interacted with all other MAT locus transcription factors, suggesting that they may form a protein complex during sexual reproduction. Mat1-1-1 also interacted with FgMcm1, which may play a role in controlling cell identity and sexual development. Interestingly, the mat1-1-1 and mat1-2-1 mutants were reduced in virulence in corn stalk rot assays although none of the MAT locus genes was important for wheat infection. The MAT1-1-1 and MAT1-2-1 genes may play a host-specific role in colonization of corn stalks.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Chromosomes, Fungal / genetics
  • Crosses, Genetic
  • Fungal Proteins / genetics
  • Fungal Proteins / metabolism
  • Fusarium / cytology
  • Fusarium / genetics*
  • Fusarium / growth & development
  • Fusarium / pathogenicity*
  • Gene Deletion
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal
  • Genes, Mating Type, Fungal / genetics*
  • Genetic Loci / genetics*
  • Hyphae / metabolism
  • Pheromones / genetics
  • Pheromones / metabolism
  • Plant Diseases / microbiology
  • Receptors, Pheromone / genetics
  • Receptors, Pheromone / metabolism
  • Reproduction / genetics
  • Subcellular Fractions / metabolism
  • Two-Hybrid System Techniques
  • Zea mays / microbiology

Substances

  • Fungal Proteins
  • Pheromones
  • Receptors, Pheromone

Grants and funding

This work was supported the National Major Project of Breeding for New Transgenic Organisms (2012ZX08009003), the National Basic Research Program of China (2012CB114002; 2013CB127703), and a grant from the USDA-NIFA (2010 65110 20439). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.