Opposing functions of Fng1 and the Rpd3 HDAC complex in H4 acetylation in Fusarium graminearum

We identified the ortholog of the human inhibitor of growth (ING1) gene in F. graminearum (FNG1) and found that it specifically interacts with the FgEsa1 HAT of the NuA4 complex. Deletion of FNG1 led to severe growth defects and blocked conidiation, sexual reproduction, and plant infection. The fng1 mutant was normal in H3 and H2AK5 acetylation but significantly reduced in H4 acetylation. A total of 34 spontaneous suppressors of fng1 with faster growth rate were isolated. Most of them were still defective in sexual reproduction and plant infection. In order to understand the relationship between FNG1 and suppressor genes, we sequenced the suppressor strains.