VdNop12, containing two tandem RNA recognition motif domains, is a crucial factor for pathogenicity and cold adaption in Verticillium dahliae

Abstract

Previous studies have reported the ability of fungi to overwinter in soil or on crop debris under different environmental conditions, but how fungi adapt to chilling is still largely unknown. In this study, we have identified and characterized the RNA binding protein (RBP) (VdNop12) by screening an Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformationmediated insertional mutational library of Verticillium dahliae. We determined that this protein was essential to the pathogen for virulence on cotton plants. VdNop12 contains two tandem RNA recognition motif domains, and its orthologs are widely distributed in filamentous fungi. Mutants produced by disruption of VdNop12 showed defects in vegetative growth, conidiation and cell wall integrity. The mutant also showed an increase in sensitivity to low temperature, as compared to the wildtype and complementation strains. Yeast complementation assay showed that VdNop12 could functionally restore the growth phenotype of ΔScNop12 mutant of Saccharomyces cerevisiae at 15 C. We demonstrated that the VdNop12 is localized in the nucleus, and its loss resulted in the downregulated expression of several genes related to cAMP-PKA and MAPK pathways in V. dahliae. Our results demonstrated a crucial role of RBPs in the regulation of morphology, cold adaption, and pathogenic development in V. dahliae.

Palmitoyl Transferase FonPAT2-Catalyzed Palmitoylation of the FonAP-2 Complex Is Essential for Growth, Development, Stress Response, and Virulence in Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum

“…1C and D ). In tissue-based examination of fungal growth assays ( 47 – 49 ), 91.8% of root segments from ΔFonpat2- inoculated plants supported the fungal growth and colony formation, comparable to that (100%) in WT-inoculated plants, while 57.8% and 42.8% of root segments from ΔFonpat1 - and ΔFonpat4 -inoculated plants, respectively, provided the fungal growth and colony formation, significantly lower than those in WT-inoculated plants ( Fig. 1E ).…”

Identification and Functional Analysis of a Novel Hydrophobic Protein VdHP1 from Verticillium dahliae

“…To test strains sensitivity to the cell wall inhibitors, osmotic stresses, and UV stress, all strains were cultured in PDA containing 0.4 M NaCl, 0.8 M KCl, 1.2 M sorbitol, 50 mg/mL CR or treated with a 10-s pulse of 302 nm UV light ( 18 , 52 , 69 ). The formula of relative growth inhibition rate was calculated as follows: relative growth inhibition rate = (control colony diameter – treatment colony diameter)/control colony diameter ×100% ( 12 , 70 ). The mycelial growth of WT (the diameter of colony: 54.185 mm) at 25°C without any stress agents was the control.…”

“…Furthermore, the spores V. dahliae could enhance the resistance to high levels of UV, desiccation, pressure, heat, and cold, for ensuring the survival of spores in the harshest conditions. It was reported that V. dahliae spores can survive at 4°C ( 12 ). Beauveria bassiana spores still germinate at 45°C ( 13 ).…”

Deciphering the Host–Pathogen Interactome of the Wheat–Common Bunt System: A Step towards Enhanced Resilience in Next Generation Wheat

“…Two proteins, OAJ24420/KAE8208796.1 and OAJ25043/KAE8192521.1, belonged to the RNA recognition motif/RNA-binding domain. In Verticillium dahliae , the RNA-binding protein (VdNop12) was found to be crucial for cold adaptation and causing pathogenesis in cotton plants [ 29 ]. Similarly, RNA-binding proteins were found to play a role in pathogenic development in Ustilago maydis [ 30 ].…”