A winged-helix DNA-binding protein is essential for self-fertility during sexual development of the homothallic fungus Fusarium graminearum.

ABSTRACT: Sexual reproduction is crucial for increasing the genetic diversity of populations and providing overwintering structures, such as perithecia and associated tissue, in the destructive plant pathogenic fungus Fusarium graminearum. While mating-type genes serve as master regulators in fungal sexual reproduction, the molecular mechanisms underlying this process remain elusive. Winged-helix DNA-binding proteins are key regulators of embryogenesis and cell differentiation in higher eukaryotes. These proteins are implicated in the morphogenesis and development of several fungal species. However, their involvement in sexual reproduction remains largely unexplored in F. graminearum. Here, we investigated the function of winged-helix DNA-binding proteins in vegetative growth, conidiat

SUBMITTER: Park J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11423578 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature