FGSE02, a Novel Secreted Protein in Fusarium graminearum FG-12, Leads to Cell Death in Plant Tissues and Modulates Fungal Virulence

TL;DR

This study identifies FGSE02, a secreted protein in a fungus that causes plant disease, which triggers cell death and affects the fungus's ability to infect plants.

Contribution

The study discovers FGSE02, a novel secreted protein in Fusarium graminearum, and its role in modulating fungal virulence.

Findings

FGSE02 is significantly upregulated during early infection and contains a functional signal peptide.

Expression of FGSE02 in plants causes rapid cell death, and its knockout reduces fungal virulence.

FGSE02 is identified as a key virulence factor with potential for disease control strategies.

Abstract

Fungal phytopathogens employ effector proteins and secondary metabolites to subvert host immunity. Effector proteins have attracted widespread interest in infection, especially for unknown, unreported genes. However, the type of protein remains much less explored. Here, we combined transcriptome analysis and functional validation to identify virulence-associated genes in Fusarium graminearum during fungi infection. A unique secreted protein, FGSE02, was significantly upregulated in the early infection stage. Proteomic characterization revealed that the protein contains a functional signal peptide but lacks known domains. The transient expression of FGSE02 in Nicotiana benthamiana induced rapid cell death, while gene knockout stains reduced fungal virulence without affecting growth. Our findings highlight FGSE02 as a key virulence factor, offering potential targets for disease control. Taken together, the results of this study identify a pathogenic factor and provide new insights into the development of green pesticides.

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