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Unveiling molecular mechanisms of strobilurin resistance in the cacao pathogen Moniliophthora perniciosa

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Author(s):
Prado, Paula F. V. ; Mendes, Caio V. C. ; Pires, Barbara A. ; Fiorin, Gabriel L. ; Mieczkowski, Piotr ; G. Pereira, Goncalo A. ; Teixeira, Paulo J. P. L. ; Thomazella, Daniela P. T.
Total Authors: 8
Document type: Journal article
Source: ISCIENCE; v. 28, n. 8, p. 21-pg., 2025-08-15.
Abstract

Strobilurin fungicides inhibit mitochondrial respiration, leading to ATP depletion and oxidative stress. Although widely used in agriculture, these chemicals are ineffective against the cacao pathogen Moniliophthora perniciosa. Here, we show that M. perniciosa tolerates high concentrations of the commercial strobilurin azoxystrobin in vitro. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that short-term exposure triggers upregulation of genes related to catabolic pathways, including the glyoxylate cycle and fatty acid degradation, alongside repression of genes involved in anabolic processes, such as cell division and ribosome biogenesis. Simultaneously, genes associated with cellular detoxification and oxidative stress responses were strongly induced. These alterations suggest that M. perniciosa remodels its metabolism to counteract fungicide toxicity. Remarkably, long-term exposure to azoxystrobin led to the emergence of a resistant mutant harboring mutations in two putative growth and transcriptional regulators. This work provides new insights into the molecular basis of strobilurin resistance and informs strategies for more effective fungicide deployment in agriculture. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 12/09136-0 - Comparative genomics of cacao pathogens of the genus Moniliophthora: understanding the mechanisms underlying plant-pathogen interactions
Grantee:Daniela Paula de Toledo Thomazella
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
FAPESP's process: 14/06181-0 - Development of a CRISPR/Cas9-based methodology for genome engineering in the fungus Moniliophthora perniciosa, the causal agent of witches' broom disease of cacao
Grantee:Gabriel Lorencini Fiorin
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
FAPESP's process: 20/04773-8 - Identification of effectors from Xanthomonas citri pv. citri that activate the immune system of the non-host plant Solanum Lycopersicum
Grantee:Caio Vinícius Cardoso Mendes
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
FAPESP's process: 14/00802-2 - Molecular characterization of strobilurin resistance mechanisms in Moniliophthora perniciosa, the causal agent of the devastating witches' broom disease of cacao
Grantee:Paula Favoretti Vital Do Prado
Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Master's degree
FAPESP's process: 18/24432-0 - Functional characterization of effector proteins from cacao pathogens and search for their cognate immune receptors
Grantee:Paulo José Pereira Lima Teixeira
Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants
FAPESP's process: 13/05979-5 - Molecular characterization of mechanisms of strobilurin resistance in Moniliophthora perniciosa, the causal agent of witches' broom disease of cacao
Grantee:Paula Favoretti Vital Do Prado
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master