Comparative transcriptome analysis reveals distinct gene expression profiles in Fusarium graminearum challenged with carbendazim and phenamacril

Abstract

Background: Fusarium graminearum, which causes Fusarium head blight (FHB) on cereal crops worldwide, is an economically important phytopathogenic fungus. Chemical control is the dominant method to manage FHB. Results: In this study, the sensitivity of F. graminearum against carbendazim and phenamacril of two commonly-used fungicides with different mode of action weredetermined. A total of 5086 and 2559 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in F. graminearum with carbendazim and phenamacril treatment, respectively, by RNA-seq. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis showed proteasome complex, transporter activity, and transmembrane transporter activity were most enriched with carbendazim treatment, whereas ion binding, ribonucleotide binding and carbohydrate derivative binding were most enriched with phenamacril treatment. The pathway enrichment analysis demonstrated proteasome, ribosome biogenesis in eukaryotes and pentose phosphate pathway were associated with carbendazim response while nitrogen metabolism, glutathione metabolism and citrate cycle (TCA cycle) were associated with phenamacril response. Furthermore, protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis was performed to elucidate protein and metabolic networks in F. graminearum response of fungicide. In addition, the results show that those genes associated with ATP-binding cassette transporters, heat shock proteins and stress response were changed expression and genes regulating trichothecenes biosynthesis were altered with two fungicide treatment. Conclusions: Taken together, those results promoted to unravel the action mechanism of carbendazim and phenamacril on F. graminearum and provide valuable resources for searching novel antifungal in the future to improve strategies managing FHB.