Acetylation dynamics of MrATG4 governing autophagy-mediated conidiation in an entomopathogenic fungus.

ABSTRACT: Conidial production is a critical factor determining the efficacy of entomopathogenic fungi as biocontrol agents. Autophagy, a fundamental cellular degradation process, plays an essential role in regulating fungal conidiation. However, the modulation of autophagy through acetylation, particularly concerning the autophagy-related protein ATG4, remains poorly understood in fungi. Here, we investigate the roles of the deacetylase MrSIR2-3 and the acetyltransferase MrKAT1 in Metarhizium robertsii, focusing on their impacts on autophagy and conidiation. Our findings demonstrate that deletion of MrSIR2-3 (ΔMrsir2-3) leads to elevated autophagy levels, whereas loss of MrKAT1 (ΔMrkat1) suppresses autophagy initiation; both alterations consequently impair conidiation. Interaction assays further rev

SUBMITTER: Yu D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12858055 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature