A MAP kinase cascade broadly regulates development and virulence ofSclerotinia sclerotiorumand can be targeted by HIGS for disease control

Tian, Lei; Li, Josh; Xu, Yan; Qiu, Yi; Li, Xin

doi:10.1101/2023.03.01.530680

Cited by 4 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 61 publications

(115 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Host‐induced gene silencing has been applied to multiple plant species for control of various diseases based on plant expression of double‐stranded RNAs that silence pathogenicity‐related genes in invaders, including S. sclerotiorum (Koch & Wassenegger, 2021; Chen et al ., 2022; Tian et al ., 2023). Considering the role of the SsSnf5‐SsHsf1 module in pathogenesis of S. sclerotiorum , we tested whether it can be a HIGS target for disease control.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Snf5‐Hsf1 transcription module synergistically regulates stress responses and pathogenicity by maintaining ROS homeostasis in Sclerotinia sclerotiorum

Xiao,

Liu,

et al. 2023

New Phytologist

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Summary The SWI/SNF complex is guided to the promoters of designated genes by its co‐operator to activate transcription in a timely and appropriate manner to govern development, pathogenesis, and stress responses in fungi. Nevertheless, knowledge of the complexes and their co‐operator in phytopathogenic fungi is still fragmented. We demonstrate that the heat shock transcription factor SsHsf1 guides the SWI/SNF complex to promoters of heat shock protein (hsp) genes and antioxidant enzyme genes using biochemistry and pharmacology. This is accomplished through direct interaction with the complex subunit SsSnf5 under heat shock and oxidative stress. This results in the activation of their transcription and mediates histone displacement to maintain reactive oxygen species (ROS) homeostasis. Genetic results demonstrate that the transcription module formed by SsSnf5 and SsHsf1 is responsible for regulating morphogenesis, stress tolerance, and pathogenicity in Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, especially by directly activating the transcription of hsp genes and antioxidant enzyme genes counteracting plant‐derived ROS. Furthermore, we show that stress‐induced phosphorylation of SsSnf5 is necessary for the formation of the transcription module. This study establishes that the SWI/SNF complex and its co‐operator cooperatively regulate the transcription of hsp genes and antioxidant enzyme genes to respond to host and environmental stress in the devastating phytopathogenic fungi.

show abstract

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Snf5‐Hsf1 transcription module synergistically regulates stress responses and pathogenicity by maintaining ROS homeostasis in Sclerotinia sclerotiorum

Xiao,

Liu,

et al. 2023

New Phytologist

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…SsSMK1 is an ERK-type MAPK that plays important role in many cellular processes in S. sclerotiorum . The disruption of SsSMK1 results in reduced hyphal growth, impaired sclerotia development and attenuated pathogenicity ( Chen et al., 2004 ; Tian et al., 2023 ). As SsSMK1 downregulation was observed in Sspde2 mutants, and considering the inhibitory effect of cAMP, it is likely that SsPDE2 promotes SsSMK1 transcription by reducing cellular cAMP levels.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…S. sclerotiorum possesses three MAPKs ( Amselem et al., 2011 ), with SsSMK1 being the most extensively studied. Our recent study has shown that the SsSMK1 cascade (SsSTE50-SsSTE11-SsSTE7-SsSMK1) is necessary for the development and virulence of S. sclerotiorum ( Tian et al., 2023 ). However, the expression of SsSMK1 is inversely associated with cAMP levels in S. sclerotiorum .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A cAMP phosphodiesterase is essential for sclerotia formation and virulence in Sclerotinia sclerotiorum

Qiu

Zhang

et al. 2023

Front. Plant Sci.

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is a plant pathogenic fungus that causes white mold or stem rot diseases. It affects mostly dicotyledonous crops, resulting in significant economic losses worldwide. Sclerotia formation is a special feature of S. sclerotiorum, allowing its survival in soil for extended periods and facilitates the spread of the pathogen. However, the detailed molecular mechanisms of how sclerotia are formed and how virulence is achieved in S. sclerotiorum are not fully understood. Here, we report the identification of a mutant that cannot form sclerotia using a forward genetics approach. Next-generation sequencing of the mutant’s whole genome revealed candidate genes. Through knockout experiments, the causal gene was found to encode a cAMP phosphodiesterase (SsPDE2). From mutant phenotypic examinations, we found that SsPDE2 plays essential roles not only in sclerotia formation, but also in the regulation of oxalic acid accumulation, infection cushion functionality and virulence. Downregulation of SsSMK1 transcripts in Sspde2 mutants revealed that these morphological defects are likely caused by cAMP-dependent inhibition of MAPK signaling. Moreover, when we introduced HIGS construct targeting SsPDE2 in Nicotiana benthamiana, largely compromised virulence was observed against S. sclerotiorum. Taken together, SsPDE2 is indispensable for key biological processes of S. sclerotiorum and can potentially serve as a HIGS target to control stem rot in the field.

show abstract

“…Recently, Xu et al developed a method combining forward genetic screening with high-throughput next-generation sequencing for the rapid discovery of new genes involved in sclerotia development. Some of these genes can be used as HIGS targets for disease control [16,17]. Here, it was performed as a genetic screen for virulence-related genes in a mutagenized population of S. sclerotiorum and to isolate a mutant strain with defects in growth, sclerotia development and pathogenicity.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

SsCak1 Regulates Growth and Pathogenicity in Sclerotinia sclerotiorum

Qin¹,

Nong²,

Cui³

et al. 2023

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is a devastating fungal pathogen that causes severe crop losses worldwide. It is of vital importance to understand its pathogenic mechanism for disease control. Through a forward genetic screen combined with next-generation sequencing, a putative protein kinase, SsCak1, was found to be involved in growth and pathogenicity of S. sclerotiorum. Knockout and complementation experiments confirmed that deletions in SsCAK1 caused defects in mycelium and sclerotia development, as well as appressoria formation and host penetration, leading to complete loss of virulence. These findings suggest that SsCak1 is essential for growth, development and pathogenicity of S. sclerotiorum. Therefore, SsCak1 could serve as a potential target for the control of S. sclerotiorum infection through host-induced gene silencing (HIGS), which could increase crop resistance to the pathogen.

show abstract

A MAP kinase cascade broadly regulates development and virulence ofSclerotinia sclerotiorumand can be targeted by HIGS for disease control

Cited by 4 publications

References 61 publications

The Snf5‐Hsf1 transcription module synergistically regulates stress responses and pathogenicity by maintaining ROS homeostasis in Sclerotinia sclerotiorum

The Snf5‐Hsf1 transcription module synergistically regulates stress responses and pathogenicity by maintaining ROS homeostasis in Sclerotinia sclerotiorum

A cAMP phosphodiesterase is essential for sclerotia formation and virulence in Sclerotinia sclerotiorum

<em>Ss</em>Cak1 Regulates Growth and Pathogenicity in <em>Sclerotinia sclerotiorum</em>

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About