RNAi-mediated knockdown of beta-1,3-glucan synthase suppresses growth of the phytopathogenic fungus Macrophomina phaseolina

摘要

Charcoal rot, caused by the fungus Macrophomina phaseolina , affects wide varieties of plant species and may result in serious crop losses. Exogenous siRNAs were applied to target a beta-1,3-glucan synthase (MpGLS2) gene in M. phaseolina to test the hypothesis that decreased production of beta-1,3-glucan, a major cell wall component, would negatively affect growth of the fungus. Under various testing conditions, fungal growth was suppressed due to siRNA treatments. Importantly, the growth suppression correlated with down regulation of MpGLS2 gene by siRNAs. RNAi-based strategy targeting genes important for cell wall synthesis may provide effective means to control pathogen growth and prevent infection.