Sphingolipid synthesis inhibitor fumonisin B1 causes verticillium wilt in cotton

Verticillium wilt caused by Verticillium dahliae is a major disease of cotton. Acidic protein-lipopolysaccharide complexes are thought to be the toxins responsible for its symptoms. Here, we determined that the sphingolipid biosynthesis inhibitor fumonisin B1 (FB1) acts as a toxin and phenocopies the symptoms induced by V. dahliae. Knocking out genes required for FB1 biosynthesis reduced V. dahliae pathogenicity. Moreover, we showed that overexpression of a FB1 and V. dahliae both downregulated gene, GhIQD10, enhanced verticillium wilt resistance by promoting the expression of brassinosteroid and anti-pathogen genes. Our results provide a new strategy for preventing verticillium wilt in cotton.

Automated summary

The sphingolipid biosynthesis inhibitor fumonisin B1 acts as a toxin and mimics the symptoms of Verticillium wilt caused by Verticillium dahliae. Knocking out genes required for fumonisin B1 biosynthesis reduces the pathogenicity of V. dahliae. Additionally, enhancing the expression of brassinosteroid and anti-pathogen genes can enhance the resistance of cotton to Verticillium wilt.