The kelch repeat protein, MaTea1, Positively Regulates UV- and Thermo-Tolerances and Is Required for Microcycle Conidiation in Metarhizium acridum

The polar protein Tea1 plays a key role in fungal growth and stress responses, and this study demonstrates that MaTea1 in Metarhizium acridum is essential for normal conidial germination, sporulation, and conidiation patterns, as its deletion leads to delayed germination, reduced sporulation, and altered conidiation morphology. Additionally, mutant strain shows increased sensitivity to UV, heat, and oxidative stress due to impaired cell wall thickness, decreased heat shock protein expression, and lower trehalose accumulation. Transcriptome analysis reveals that MaTea1 regulates conidiation pattern shifts by modulating carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism, with RNA-seq identifying 229 differentially expressed genes involved in conidiation, cell division, and cell wall biosynthesis, confirming its central role in these processes.