The Ras GTPase-activating protein UvGap1 orchestrates conidiogenesis and pathogenesis in the rice false smut fungus Ustilaginoidea virens.

ABSTRACT: Ras GTPase-activating proteins (Ras GAPs) act as negative regulators for Ras proteins and are involved in various signalling processes that influence cellular functions. Here, the function of four Ras GAPs, UvGap1 to UvGap4, was identified and analysed in Ustilaginoidea virens, the causal agent of rice false smut disease. Disruption of UvGAP1 or UvGAP2 resulted in reduced mycelial growth and an increased percentage of larger or dumbbell-shaped conidia. Notably, the mutant ΔUvgap1 completely lost its pathogenicity. Compared to the wild-type strain, the mutants ΔUvgap1, ΔUvgap2 and ΔUvgap3 exhibited reduced tolerance to H₂ O₂ oxidative stress. In particular, the ΔUvgap1 mutant was barely able to grow on the H₂ O₂ plate, and UvGAP1 was found to infl

SUBMITTER: Cao H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10950028 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature