Study on the functions of the autophagy related gene <i>ChAtg3</i> in <i>Colletotrichum higginsianum</i>

DUAN Lingtao; HE Jiuqing; WANG Li; CHEN Weilun; ZHU Yiming; ZHOU Erxun

doi:10.7671/j.issn.1001-411X.202404046

Journal of South China Agricultural University > 2025 > 46(2): 175-185. > DOI: 10.7671/j.issn.1001-411X.202404046

DUAN Lingtao, HE Jiuqing, WANG Li, et al. Study on the functions of the autophagy related gene ChAtg3 in Colletotrichum higginsianum[J]. Journal of South China Agricultural University, 2025, 46(2): 175-185. DOI: 10.7671/j.issn.1001-411X.202404046

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Study on the functions of the autophagy related gene ChAtg3 in Colletotrichum higginsianum

College of Plant Protection, South China Agricultural University/Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Crop Disease Control, Guangzhou 510642, China

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Received Date: April 27, 2024
Available Online: January 15, 2025
Published Date: January 06, 2025

Graphical Abstract

Abstract

Abstract

Objective
To study the role of ChAtg3, an autophagy-related gene in Colletotrichum higginsianum.
Method
The sequence, phylogeny and expression pattern of ChAtg3 were analyzed, and the expression changes of ChAtg3 were observed in Arabidopsis thaliana after infection with C. higginsianum. An Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated genetic transformation system was employed to perform specific gene knockouts and their subsequent complementation.
Result
The expression changes of ChAtg3 were observed after C. higginsianum infected A. thaliana for 8 to 40 h. The mutant ΔChAtg3, created through targeted ChAtg3 gene knockout, exhibited impaired autophagy, with markedly reduced melanin production, conidiation, appressorium formation, and pathogenic potential, although mycelial growth and conidial germination rate had no significant changes compared with wild type. Gene complementation in the CΔChAtg3 strain effectively reinstated its biological phenotype and pathogenicity.
Conclusion
The results reveal that ChAtg3 plays a key role in autophagy, conidiation, and appressorium formation of C. higginsianum, confirming it as a critical determinant of pathogenic capacity of C. higginsianum.
- Colletotrichum higginsianum,
- Autophagy,
- ChAtg3 gene,
- Functional analysis of gene,
- Pathogenicity

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References (26)

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