A cAMP phosphodiesterase is essential for sclerotia formation and virulence in Sclerotinia sclerotiorum.

ABSTRACT: Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is a plant pathogenic fungus that causes white mold or stem rot diseases. It affects mostly dicotyledonous crops, resulting in significant economic losses worldwide. Sclerotia formation is a special feature of S. sclerotiorum, allowing its survival in soil for extended periods and facilitates the spread of the pathogen. However, the detailed molecular mechanisms of how sclerotia are formed and how virulence is achieved in S. sclerotiorum are not fully understood. Here, we report the identification of a mutant that cannot form sclerotia using a forward genetics approach. Next-generation sequencing of the mutant's whole genome revealed candidate genes. Through knockout experiments, the causal gene was found to encode a cAMP phosphodiesterase (SsP

SUBMITTER: Xu Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10264682 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature