The Dynamin-Like GTPase FgSey1 Plays a Critical Role in Fungal Development and Virulence in Fusarium graminearum

Fusarium graminearum is a major plant pathogen that causes Fusarium head blight (FHB) of wheats worldwide. In addition to reducing the plant yield, F. graminearum infection of wheats also results in the production of deoxynivalenol (DON) mycotoxins, which are harmful to humans and animals and therefore cause great economic losses through pollution of food products and animal feed. At present, effective strategies for controlling FHB are not available. Therefore, understanding the regulation mechanisms of fungal development, pathogenesis, and DON biosynthesis is important for the development of effective control strategies of this disease. In this study, we demonstrated that a dynamin-like GTPase protein Sey1/atlastin homologue, FgSey1, is required for vegetative growth, DON production, and pathogenicity in F. graminearum . Our results provide novel information on critical roles of FgSey1 in fungal pathogenicity; therefore, FgSey1 could be a potential target for effective control of the disease caused by F. graminearum .