# Members of Velvet Complex FpVeA and FpVelB Regulate Asexual Development, Fumonisin Biosynthesis and Virulence in Fusarium proliferatum

## TL;DR

This study shows that the velvet complex proteins FpVeA and FpVelB are important for the growth, toxin production, and ability to infect rice in the fungus Fusarium proliferatum.

## Contribution

The study identifies FpVeA and FpVelB as key regulators of asexual development, fumonisin biosynthesis, and virulence in Fusarium proliferatum.

## Key findings

- Deletion of FpveA or FpvelB genes leads to slower hyphal growth but increased conidiation.
- FpVeA and FpVelB are essential for fumonisin B1 production and pathogenicity in rice.
- Loss of FpVeA or FpVelB reduces conidial trehalose and increases sensitivity to oxidative stress.

## Abstract

Fusarium proliferatum is the causative agent of rice spikelet rot disease, which can produce a group of toxic secondary metabolites, especially fumonisins. Velvet complex is a master regulator governing the development processes and secondary metabolism in filamentous fungi. In this study, we investigated the biological functions of velvet members FpVeA and FpVelB in F. proliferatum. Compared with the wild-type Fp9 strain, deletion of FpveA or FpvelB genes resulted in retarded hyphal growth but promoted conidiation. Disruption mutants exhibited decreased conidial trehalose contents and enhanced sensitivity to H2O2 stress, as well as inducing expression of photoreceptors. Notably, inactivation of FpveA or FpvelB led to a reduction in production of fumonisin B1 (FB1), coinciding with downregulation of fumonisin biosynthetic genes. Furthermore, the absence of FpveA or FpvelB displayed attenuated virulence toward rice spikelets, accompanied by fewer invasive hyphae and a failure of penetration ability. Taken together, these results demonstrated that FpVeA and FpVelB play crucial roles in the asexual development, oxidative stress, toxin synthesis and pathogenicity of F. proliferatum.