MrMid2, encoding a cell wall stress sensor protein, is required for conidium production, stress tolerance, microsclerotium formation and virulence in the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium rileyi.

摘要: Transmembrane proteins as sensors encoded by fungal genes activate specific intracellular signal pathways in response to stress cues help the fungus survive a changing environment. To better understand role of cell wall integrity (CWI) pathway entomopathogenic Metarhizium rileyi, an ortholog encoding transmembrane protein Mid2, MrMid2, was identified and characterized functionally. Transcriptional analysis indicated that MrMid2 involved dimorphic transition, conidiation, microsclerotium formation. After targeted deletion all three traits were impaired. Compared with wild-type strain, △MrMid2 mutants hypersensitive thermal stress, oxidative stress. Insect bioassays revealed had decreased virulence levels following topical (22.5%) injection (38.7%). Furthermore, transcription showed other CWI pathway, exception another major sensor gene, MrWsc1, down-regulated mutants. These results suggest plays important roles response, virulence, development M. rileyi.