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

• DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03861-22
• Publication Date: 2022-12-19T14:01:51Z
• Authors: Xiaohui Xiong; Yizhou Gao; Jiajing Wang; Hui Wang; Jiajun Lou; Yan Bi; Yuqing Yan; Dayong Li; Fengming Song
• Keywords: 0303 health sciences; Virulence; Lipoylation; watermelon; Adaptor Protein Complex 2; protein palmitoyl transferase (PAT); Microbiology; protein palmitoylation; QR1-502; Catalysis; virulence; Citrullus; 03 medical and health sciences; Fusarium; Stress, Physiological; AP-2 complex; Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum; Research Article; Plant Diseases

Protein palmitoylation, one of posttranslational modifications, is catalyzed by a group palmitoyl transferases (PATs) and plays critical roles in the regulation protein functions. However, little known about function mechanism PATs plant pathogenic fungi. The present study reports molecular FonPATs Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum (Fon), causal agent watermelon wilt. Fon genome contains six FonPAT genes with distinct functions vegetative growth, conidiation conidial morphology, stress response. FonPAT1, FonPAT2, FonPAT4 have PAT activity are required for virulence on mainly through regulating planta fungal growth within host plants. Comparative proteomics analysis identified set proteins that were palmitoylated some them previously reported pathogenicity-related FonAP-2 complex core subunits FonAP-2α, FonAP-2β, FonAP-2μ FonPAT2 vivo. FonPAT2-catalyzed palmitoylation contributed to stability interaction ability ensure formation complex, which essential asexual reproduction, cell wall integrity, Fon. These findings demonstrate play important virulence, providing novel insights into importance pathogens. IMPORTANCE wilt, most serious threats sustainable development industry worldwide. underlying pathogenicity Here, we found transferase (FonPAT) diverse basic biological processes response demonstrated We also palmitoylates maintain processes, response, Our provides new understanding involved will be helpful strategies disease management.