Roles of NADPH oxidases in regulating redox homeostasis and pathogenesis of the poplar canker fungus Cytospora chrysosperma
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Poplar canker, caused by the fungus Cytospora chrysosperma, results in tremendous losses in poplar plantations in China. Although NADPH oxidases (NOXs) play important roles in the development and pathogenicity of several pathogenic fungi, their roles in C. chrysosperma remain unclear. In this study, we characterized three NOX genes (CcNox1, CcNox2, and CcNoxR) in C. chrysosperma. All three genes were highly upregulated during poplar branch infection, and deletion of any of them severely reduced virulence on poplar branches. Furthermore, deletion of either CcNox1 or CcNoxR resulted in a significant increase in endogenous reactive oxygen species production in hyphae, enhanced influx of Ca2+, the disruption of redox homeostasis and compromised mitochondrial integrity. Moreover, biosynthesis and secretion of a known virulence factor oxalic acid was obviously defective and exogenous oxalic acid supplementation rescued the virulence of the mutants. Taken together, our findings reveal that NOXs play important roles in redox homeostasis, mitochondrial integrity and pathogenicity in C. chrysosperma.
Source: Stress Biology
Authors: Quansheng Li, Rongrong Guo, Aining Li, Yonglin Wang
Institution: Beijing Forestry University
Language: English
Subfield: Cell Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4410215767