Abstract
Zn2Cys6 transcription factors are unique to fungi and are involved in different regulatory functions. In this study, we have identified the Penicillium digitatum PdMut3 gene, which encodes a putative Zn (II) 2Cys6 DNA-binding protein. Elimination of PdMut3 in Pd1 strain caused increased virulence during citrus infection. The transcription of the PdMut3 gene showed a higher expression rate during fungal growth and less transcription during fruit infection. Furthermore, the deletion of the gene in the wild-type isolate of P. digitatum did not produce any modification of the sensitivity to different fungicides, indicating that the gene is not associated with resistance to fungicides. In contrast, PdMut3 null mutants showed a reduction in growth in minimal media, which was associated with severe alterations in conidiophore development and morphological alterations of the hyphae. Mutants showed greater sensitivity to compounds that interfere with the cell wall and an invasive growth block. Thus, PdMut3 might have an indirect role in fungi virulence through metabolism and peroxisomes development.
Highlights
IntroductionPublisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations
We evaluated the possible implication of PdMut3 in the sensitivity to certain fungicides owing to the detected alteration of the cell wall and because many Transcription factors (TFs) are involved in stress responses and pleiotropic drug resistance [20]
This study provides the identification and characterization of PdMut3, a new Zn2Cys6 transcription factor with conserved GAL4-like and Fungal_TF_MHR domains of P. digitatum
Summary
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. During the plant–pathogen interaction, numerous reactions are triggered, allowing the progression of the infection by the pathogen. Penicillium digitatum, the main pathogen during the postharvest period, is responsible for green mold that can lead to up to 90% losses [1]. To afford new control actions in postharvest pathogens, it is necessary to understand the regulatory mechanisms that govern processes involved in fungal–plant interaction. These processes comprise germination, mycelial progression, pathogenesis/virulence, host-specificity, or fungicide resistance in order to perform an effective infection
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