Phospholipid homeostasis plays an important role in fungal development, fungicide resistance and virulence in Fusarium graminearum

Abstract

Phospholipids are major structural components of all cell membranes and participate in energy storage, signal transduction and environmental adaptability in eukaryotes. To date, the enzymes involved in phospholipid biosynthesis have been well characterized in budding yeast. However, their functions in filamentous fungi are largely unclear, especially their contribution to the interaction between phytopathogenic filamentous fungi and plants. In this study, we identified 10 phospholipid biosynthesis-related genes and genetically analyzed their functions in the Fusarium head blight pathogen Fusarium graminearum. The results of this study indicate that phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and phosphatidylcholine (PC) are critical for fungal vegetative growth. The biosynthesis of PE and PC is largely dependent on FgPsd2, FgCho2 and FgOpi3 in the de novo pathway of phospholipid biosynthesis in F. graminearum. Phospholipid biosynthetic gene mutants showed abnormal conidiation, increased sensitivity to fungicides and the oxidative stress agent H 2 O 2 , and defective endocytosis, especially the ΔFgpsd2, ΔFgcho2 and ΔFgopi3 mutants. Importantly, this study shows for the first time that the de novo pathway of phospholipid biosynthesis is required for mycotoxin production and full virulence in plant pathogenic fungi.

Effect of Quinoline on the Phospholipid Profile of Curvularia lunata and Its Microbial Detoxification

“…Analysis of PL composition indicated that the main lipids in C. lunata IM 4417 biomass are PCs and PEs. This result is in accordance with published data, which show that the mentioned lipids account for over 50% of all PLs in fungi [ 32 , 33 ]. Both PC and PE are major structural lipids and determine membrane fluidity, wherein PCs are typical bilayer lipids and PEs are nonbilayer molecules.…”

“…On the basis of the presented results, it can be concluded that the addition of quinoline causes an increase in PC content and a decrease in PE amount. These PLs are crucial for vegetative fungal growth [ 33 ]. Thus, this change may be essential to maintaining the proper functioning of the cell in the presence of quinoline and can lead to increased membrane fluidity.…”

Integrative functional analysis uncovers metabolic differences between Candida species

“…Choline metabolism is a critical function for both microbial and host physiology, as demonstrated by the increase seen in AGAu Candida species' related metabolites. Disruption of phospholipid biosynthesis in fungi can occur through inhibition of phosphatidylcholine synthesis, showing preventing virulence within the systemic mice model 87,88,120,121 . Further, acetylcholine is essential in the formation of the chitin wall characteristic of fungi 122,123 .…”

Identification and Characterization of a Novel Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factor of Phospholipid Synthesis Regulation in Aspergillus niger

“…Protein secretion among the endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi, and vesicles involves classic membrane trafficking, and phospholipid synthesis takes place mainly in the endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi, endosomes, and vacuole. Phospholipids can be divided into phosphatidylinositol (PI), phosphatidylserine (PS), phosphatidylcholine (PC), and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE; Wang et al, 2019). To date, phospholipid biosynthetic genes have been well characterized in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.…”