# Genome-Wide Identification and Functional Characterization of the Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase (ACAD) Family in Fusarium sacchari

## TL;DR

This study identifies and characterizes 14 ACAD genes in Fusarium sacchari, a sugarcane pathogen, revealing their roles in fatty acid metabolism and disease.

## Contribution

The first genome-wide identification and functional analysis of ACADs in F. sacchari, linking them to pathogenesis and fatty acid utilization.

## Key findings

- FsACAD genes are differentially expressed during sugarcane infection and in response to fatty acid induction.
- FsACAD-deletion mutants show varied abilities to break down fatty acids and amino acids.
- Deleting FsACAD genes affects fungal growth, stress tolerance, and virulence.

## Abstract

Fusarium sacchari is one of the primary causal agents of Pokkah boeng disease (PBD), an important disease of sugarcane worldwide. The acyl-CoA dehydrogenases (ACADs) constitute a family of flavoenzymes involved in the β-oxidation of fatty acids and amino acid catabolism in mitochondria. However, the role of ACADs in the pathogenesis of F. sacchari is unclear. Here, 14 ACAD-encoding genes (FsACAD-1–FsACAD-14) were identified by screening the entire genome sequence of F. sacchari. The FsACAD genes are distributed across seven chromosomes and were classified into seven clades based on phylogenetic analysis of the protein sequences. In vivo mRNA quantification revealed that the FsACAD genes are differentially expressed during sugarcane infection, and their expression patterns differ significantly in response to the in vitro induction of fatty acids of different classes. Fatty acid utilization assays of the FsACAD-deletion mutants revealed that the FsACADs varied in their preference and ability to break down different fatty acids and amino acids. There was variation in the adverse impact of FsACAD-deletion mutants on fungal traits, including growth, conidiation, stress tolerance, and virulence. These findings provide insights into the roles of FsACADs in F. sacchari, and the identification of FsACADs offers potential new targets for the improved control of PBD.