Verticillium dahliae Vta3 promotes ELV1 virulence factor gene expression in xylem sap, but tames Mtf1-mediated late stages of fungus-plant interactions and microsclerotia formation.
Isabel MaurusRebekka HartingCornelia HerrfurthJessica StarkeAlexandra NagelLennart MohnikeYing-Yu ChenKerstin SchmittEmmanouil BastakisMarian T SüßMiriam LeonardKai HeimelOliver ValeriusIvo FeussnerJames W KronstadGerhard H BrausPublished in: PLoS pathogens (2023)
Verticillium transcription activator of adhesion 3 (Vta3) is required for plant root colonization and pathogenicity of the soil-borne vascular fungus Verticillium dahliae. RNA sequencing identified Vta3-dependent genetic networks required for growth in tomato xylem sap. Vta3 affects the expression of more than 1,000 transcripts, including candidates with predicted functions in virulence and morphogenesis such as Egh16-like virulence factor 1 (Elv1) and Master transcription factor 1 (Mtf1). The genes encoding Elv1 and Mtf1 were deleted and their functions in V. dahliae growth and virulence on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) plants were investigated using genetics, plant infection experiments, gene expression studies and phytohormone analyses. Vta3 contributes to virulence by promoting ELV1 expression, which is dispensable for vegetative growth and conidiation. Vta3 decreases disease symptoms mediated by Mtf1 in advanced stages of tomato plant colonization, while Mtf1 induces the expression of fungal effector genes and tomato pathogenesis-related protein genes. The levels of pipecolic and salicylic acids functioning in tomato defense signaling against (hemi-) biotrophic pathogens depend on the presence of MTF1, which promotes the formation of resting structures at the end of the infection cycle. In summary, the presence of VTA3 alters gene expression of virulence factors and tames the Mtf1 genetic subnetwork for late stages of plant disease progression and subsequent survival of the fungus in the soil.
Keyphrases
- biofilm formation
- gene expression
- antimicrobial resistance
- pseudomonas aeruginosa
- escherichia coli
- staphylococcus aureus
- genome wide
- poor prognosis
- dna methylation
- cell wall
- transcription factor
- cystic fibrosis
- candida albicans
- binding protein
- long non coding rna
- regulatory t cells
- heart rate
- immune response
- depressive symptoms
- single cell
- mass spectrometry
- genome wide analysis
- toll like receptor
- sleep quality
- case control
- type iii
- cell migration