Genome-wide CRISPRi screen and proteomic profiling identify key genes related to ferulic acid's antifungal activity.

ABSTRACT: Fungal pathogens of plants must overcome host-imposed stressors, including antimicrobial small molecules. Ferulic acid (FA), a plant-derived phenolic compound, induces fungal stress and cell death. To uncover genetic determinants of FA sensitivity, we performed a genome-wide CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) screen in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We confirmed that FA impairs yeast growth and triggers stress granule marker sequestration, establishing a relevant selection condition. The CRISPRi screen identified 194 genes involved in the FA-induced stress response and 12 whose repression enhanced resistance. Among them, ERG9, encoding squalene synthase, was most strongly enriched, and its repression conferred FA resistance alongside upregulation of HMG1, implicating the ergosterol biosynthes

SUBMITTER: Levi O 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12505964 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature