The Transcription factor FgSfp1 orchestrates mycotoxin deoxynivalenol biosynthesis in Fusarium graminearum

Fusarium graminearum (F. graminearum) and its derivative mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON) are highly concerned with food security, safety and sustainability worldwide. The molecular mechanism regulates DON biosynthesis in F. graminearum remains enigmatic, despite several transcription factors (TFs) have been revealed containing regulatory functions. Here, we first characterized a zinc finger-contained TF, FgSfp1. Interestingly, contrast to the previous knowledge, all TRI-cluster genes were abnormally upregulated in ?FgSfp1 while Tri proteins abundance rationally decreased, resulting in a 95.4% reduction of DON yield simultaneously. Further evidence determined FgSfp1 acted as a nutrient-sensing factor coordinates genetic expression efficiency through interference of ribosomal biogenesis process. Specifically, FgSfp1-depletion leads to ribosome biogenesis assembly factor (RiBi) expression attenuation along with DON precursor acetyl-CoA synthase reduction since FgSfp1 actively interacts with RNA 2'-O-methylation enzyme FgNop1 revealed by Bi-FC and subsequently influences mRNA translation capacity. In conclusion, we elucidated that the FgSfp1 orchestrates DON biosynthesis via participating RNA posttranscriptional modification for ribosomal RNA maturation, offering new insights into the DON biosynthesis regulation. Ultimately, this novel TF might be a key regulator for DON contamination control in the whole food chain. Overall design: Three replicates for each sample.