A transcription factor, MrMsn2, in the dimorphic fungus Metarhizium rileyi is essential for dimorphism transition, aggravated pigmentation, conidiation and microsclerotia formation.

ABSTRACT: Microsclerotia (MS) are pseudoparenchymatous aggregations of hyphae of fungi that can be induced in liquid culture for biocontrol applications. Previously, we determined that the high-osmolarity glycerol (HOG) signalling pathway was involved in regulating MS development in the dimorphic insect pathogen Metarhizium rileyi. To further investigate the mechanisms by which the signalling pathway is regulated, we characterized the transcriptional factor MrMsn2, a homologue of the yeast C₂ H₂ transcriptional factor Msn2, which is predicted to function downstream of the HOG pathway in M. rileyi. Compared with wild-type and complemented strains, disruption of MrMsn2 increased the yeast-to-hypha transition rate, enhanced conidiation capacity and aggravated pigmentation in M. ri

SUBMITTER: Song Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6196401 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature