Analysis of the regulatory mechanism of histone demethylase Rph1 on autophagy in Magnaporthe oryzae. (PRJCA041989)

Rice blast, caused by the fungal pathogen Magnaporthe oryzae, poses a severe threat to global rice production security. As a model organism for studying molecular pathogenesis in filamentous fungi and host-pathogen interactions, M. oryzae exhibits a characteristic life cycle and infection process. Autophagy is essential for the growth, sporulation, and pathogenicity of M. oryzae. During appressorium development, autophagy is induced upon spore germination, leading to the degradation of intracellular contents (e.g., glycogen and lipid droplets) and programmed cell death in conidia. The appressorium utilizes recycled materials and cellular components derived from autophagic breakdown in conidial cells to facilitate its maturation and deployment of penetration pegs. Rph1, an H3K36 demethylase, plays a critical role in this process. Elucidating the induction and execution mechanisms of autophagy in M. oryzae is vital for understanding the molecular basis of its pathogenicity and developing effective control strategies.