Biological functions of a C2H2 transcription factor CgGcp1 in Colletotrichum gloeosporioides

Abstract:

[Background] Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, featuring a wide range of hosts and diverse infection methods, causes serious agricultural disasters. The biological functions of CgGcp1 in C. gloeosporioides, a C2H2 transcription factor, have not been reported. [Objective] This study aims to clarify the biological functions of CgGcp1, which is expected to lay a theoretical basis for clarifying the pathogenic mechanism of the fungus. [Methods] The CgGCP1-knockout vector was constructed and the knockout mutant was yielded by homologous recombination. The biological functions of CgGCP1 were identified by pathogenicity analysis and phenotypic analysis, such as the vegetative growth, stress response, conidium production, and appressorium formation. [Results] The growth rate of the CgGCP1-knockout mutant was lower than that of the wild type, and the mutant was more sensitive to SDS, Congo red, NaCl, and glycerol. The conidium yield, appressorium formation rate, and invasion ability were obviously decreased, and its virulence to rubber leaves was also lowered significantly. [Conclusion] CgGcp1 regulates the vegetative growth, cell wall integrity, conidium production, appressorium formation and invasion, and pathogenicity of C. gloeosporioides.

Key words:Colletotrichum gloeosporioides;C2H2 transcription factor;vegetative growth;conidium;pathogenicity