MIF-like domain containing protein orchestrates cellular differentiation and virulence in the fungal pathogen Magnaporthe oryzae

• DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107565
• Publication Date: 2023-08-06T16:49:47Z
• Authors: Matteo Galli; Stefan Jacob; Ying Zheng; Parviz Ghezellou; Martin Gand; Wendell Albuquerque; Jafargholi Imani; Valérie Allasia; Christine Coustau; Bernhard Spengler; Harald Keller; Eckhard Thines; Karl-Heinz Kogel
• Keywords: Virulence factor; Fungal protein

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a pleiotropic protein with chemotactic, pro-inflammatory, and growth-promoting activities first discovered in mammals. In parasites, MIF homologs are involved immune evasion pathogenesis. Here, we present the comprehensive analysis of an from devastating plant pathogen Magnaporthe oryzae (Mo). The fungal genome encodes single (MoMIF1) that, unlike human homolog, harbors multiple low-complexity regions (LCRs) unique to Ascomycota. Following infection, MoMIF1 expressed biotrophic phase fungus, strongly down-regulated during subsequent necrotrophic growth leaves roots. We show that secreted affects production mycotoxin tenuazonic acid inhibits cell death. Our results suggest novel key regulator virulence maintains balance between biotrophy necrotrophy different phases infection.