biostudies-literatureUnknown15(1)Feng CA-to-I mRNA editing in animals is mediated by ADARs, but the mechanism underlying sexual stage-specific A-to-I mRNA editing in fungi remains unknown. Here, we show that the eukaryotic tRNA-specific heterodimeric deaminase FgTad2-FgTad3 is responsible for A-to-I mRNA editing in Fusarium graminearum. This editing capacity relies on the interaction between FgTad3 and a sexual stage-specific protein called Ame1. Although Ame1 orthologs are widely distributed in fungi, the interaction originates in Sordariomycetes. We have identified key residues responsible for the FgTad3-Ame1 interaction. The expression and activity of FgTad2-FgTad3 are regulated through alternative promoters, alternative translation initiation, and post-translational modifications. Our study demonstrates that the FgTad2-FgTaNature communications3934https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC11087585biostudies-literatureUnveiling the A-to-I mRNA editing machinery and its regulation and evolution in fungi.PMC11087585Liu HXin KZou JXu JRXing XDu YKang ZFeng CZhang RWang QZhang YHuang WJiang CWang XXiu QfalseUnveiling the A-to-I mRNA editing machinery and its regulation and evolution in fungi.A-to-I mRNA editing in animals is mediated by ADARs, but the mechanism underlying sexual stage-specific A-to-I mRNA editing in fungi remains unknown. Here, we show that the eukaryotic tRNA-specific heterodimeric deaminase FgTad2-FgTad3 is responsible for A-to-I mRNA editing in Fusarium graminearum. This editing capacity relies on the interaction between FgTad3 and a sexual stage-specific protein called Ame1. Although Ame1 orthologs are widely distributed in fungi, the interaction originates in Sordariomycetes. We have identified key residues responsible for the FgTad3-Ame1 interaction. The expression and activity of FgTad2-FgTad3 are regulated through alternative promoters, alternative translation initiation, and post-translational modifications. Our study demonstrates that the FgTad2-FgTa2024-01-01T00:00:00Z2024 May2026-06-01T20:16:33.422Z2026-05-20T03:08:47.148ZS-EPMC110875853872993810.1038/s41467-024-48336-8