Reverse Genetic Analyses of Hydrophobins in <i>Sclerotinia sclerotiorum</i> Revealed Their Diverse Roles in Development, Environmental Survival, and Virulence.

ABSTRACT: Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is a notorious soilborne fungal pathogen that causes white mold in a wide range of host plants, leading to globally significant yield loss in many crops. Hydrophobins (HPs) are small, secreted proteins unique to filamentous fungi, with diverse roles in fungal biology. However, their functions in S. sclerotiorum remain poorly understood. Here, we systematically investigated the roles of three HP genes, SsHP1, SsHP2, and SsHP3, through reverse genetic analyses. By analyzing their deletion mutant phenotypes, we demonstrate that class I HP (SsHP1) is specifically required for proper sclerotia development, whereas class II HPs (SsHP2 and SsHP3) are essential for compound appressoria functionality. All three HPs con

SUBMITTER: Tan J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12655489 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature