The autophagy-related protein PlAtg26b regulates vegetative growth, reproductive processes, autophagy, and pathogenicity in <i>Peronophythora litchii</i>.

ABSTRACT: Peronophythora litchii is an oomycete pathogen responsible for litchi downy blight, a significant threat to global litchi production. Autophagy, a conserved degradation pathway crucial for the growth, development, and pathogenicity of phytopathogenic organisms, remains an area of active investigation. In this study, we characterized the function of the Atg26 homolog PlAtg26b in P. litchii. Using the CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing system, we generated PlATG26b knockout mutants and determined that PlAtg26b localizes to mitochondria under stress conditions. Although deletion of PlATG26b did not impair selective autophagy, it markedly reduced Atg8-PE synthesis, vegetative hyphal growth, asexual and sexual reproduction, and zoospore release. Furthermore, PlATG26b-

SUBMITTER: Wang X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12721092 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature