The heterotrimeric G protein г Stgg1 is required for conidiation, secondary metabolite production and pathogenicity of Setosphaeria turcica

Abstract

Heterotrimeric G proteins are best known for their role in the transduction of extracellular signals to various downstream effectors. G proteins in higher eukaryotes are intensively studied; however, their roles in foliar pathogens are still elusive. In this study, we cloned the gene Stgg1 encoding G protein g subunit in Setosphaeria turcica and investigated its function by RNA interference technology. Three independent Stgg1 targeted RNAi mutants R3, R5 and R6 with diverse silencing efficiency were generated. Knock-down of Stgg1 resulted in a significant reduction in mRNA levels of the genes encoding Ga (Stga1, Stga2, Stga3) but not for Gb (Stgb1). Stgg1 RNAi mutants exhibited significantly elongated hyphal cells with blocked conidium production. In addition, Stgg1 RNAi mutants all appeared in lighter colony colour compatible with inhibited secondary metabolites. Further assays demonstrated that Stgg1 was required for biosynthesis of melanin and HT-toxin activity. Furthermore, down-regulation of Stgg1 largely inhibited the inflection capacity. Thus, we proposed that Stgg1 played crucial roles in conidiation, secondary metabolite production and pathogenicity of S. turcica and is, therefore, an ideal target for drug design against foliar pathogens.

The Secreted Ribonuclease SRE1 Contributes to Setosphaeria turcica Virulence and Activates Plant Immunity

“…For example, StSte12 (a downstream protein of the Fus3/Kss1homolog of the mitogen-activated protein kinases cascade) and StRas2 (a type of monomeric GTPase) have been implicated in appressorium development (Zhang et al, 2012;Gu et al, 2014). In S. turcica, StPKA-c (the catalytic subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase A) and Stgg1 (a G protein) are important for conidiation (Shen et al, 2013;Li et al, 2018). Melanin plays a role in the pathogenic process of S. turcica as well.…”