title: The FTF gene family regulates virulence and expression of SIX effectors in Fusarium oxysporum.
abstract: The FTF (Fusarium transcription factor) gene family comprises a single copy gene, FTF2, which is present in all the filamentous ascomycetes analysed, and several copies of a close relative, FTF1, which is exclusive to Fusarium oxysporum. An RNA-mediated gene silencing system was developed to target mRNA produced by all the FTF genes, and tested in two formae speciales: F. oxysporum f. sp. phaseoli (whose host is common bean) and F. oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici (whose host is tomato). Quantification of the mRNA levels showed knockdown of FTF1 and FTF2 in randomly isolated transformants of both formae speciales. The attenuation of FTF expression resulted in a marked reduction in virulence, a reduced expression of several SIX (Secreted In Xylem) genes, the best studied family of effectors in F. oxysporum, and lower levels of SGE1 (Six Gene Expression 1) mRNA, the presumptive regulator of SIX expression. Moreover, the knockdown mutants showed a pattern of colonization of the host plant similar to that displayed by strains devoid of FTF1 copies (weakly virulent strains). Gene knockout of FTF2 also resulted in a reduction in virulence, but to a lesser extent. These results demonstrate the role of the FTF gene expansion, mostly the FTF1 paralogues, as a regulator of virulence in F. oxysporum and suggest that the control of effector expression is the mechanism involved.
authors.affiliation: Instituto Hispano-Luso de Investigaciones Agrarias (Ciale), Departamento de Microbiología y Genética, Universidad de Salamanca, C/Río Duero 12, Villamayor, 37185, Salamanca, Spain.
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Niño-Sánchez
authors.affiliation: Instituto Hispano-Luso de Investigaciones Agrarias (Ciale), Departamento de Microbiología y Genética, Universidad de Salamanca, C/Río Duero 12, Villamayor, 37185, Salamanca, Spain.
authors.forename: Virginia
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Casado-Del Castillo
authors.affiliation: Instituto Hispano-Luso de Investigaciones Agrarias (Ciale), Departamento de Microbiología y Genética, Universidad de Salamanca, C/Río Duero 12, Villamayor, 37185, Salamanca, Spain.
authors.forename: Vega
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Tello
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica/Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica-Universidade Nova de Lisboa (IBET/ITQB-UNL), Av. República, 2784-505, Oeiras, Portugal.
authors.forename: José J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: De Vega-Bartol
authors.affiliation: Centro de Biotecnología y Genómica de Plantas (CBGP), Universidad Politécnica de Madrid-INIA, Campus de Monteganceno, Pozuelo de Alarcón, 28223, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Brisa
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ramos
authors.affiliation: Instituto Hispano-Luso de Investigaciones Agrarias (Ciale), Departamento de Microbiología y Genética, Universidad de Salamanca, C/Río Duero 12, Villamayor, 37185, Salamanca, Spain.
authors.forename: Serenella A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Sukno
authors.affiliation: Instituto Hispano-Luso de Investigaciones Agrarias (Ciale), Departamento de Microbiología y Genética, Universidad de Salamanca, C/Río Duero 12, Villamayor, 37185, Salamanca, Spain.
authors.forename: José María
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Díaz Mínguez
mesh_terms: D015139:Blotting, Southern; D007887:Fabaceae / Q000382:microbiology; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D005670:Fusarium / Q000235:genetics* / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D018628:Gene Dosage; D015966:Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal; D005800:Genes, Fungal; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions / Q000235:genetics; D018551:Solanum lycopersicum / Q000382:microbiology; D005810:Multigene Family; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics; D010802:Phylogeny; D010935:Plant Diseases / Q000382:microbiology; D034622:RNA Interference; D012689:Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid; D014170:Transformation, Genetic; D014774:Virulence / Q000235:genetics; D037521:Virulence Factors / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D005656:Fungal Proteins; D037521:Virulence Factors; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins
keywords: FTF; Fusarium wilt; effector; genomic expansion; pathogenicity; transcription factor; virulence
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