Genome-Scale Screening and Functional Analysis of Genes That Encode Secreted Proteins in Fusarium proliferatum Associated with Infection on Banana (Musa acuminata) Fruit

Fusarium proliferatum causes banana crown rot and produces fumonisins, posing a threat to environmental safety and public health. Here, we report the 43.6-Mb complete genome sequence of F. proliferatum, containing 3026 genes encoding putative small secreted protein (SSP) candidates including 206 effectors. A list of pathogenesis-related genes was identified based on the transcriptome of F. proliferatum during infecting banana fruit. Furthermore, 10 putative SSPs were validated as secreted proteins using a yeast secretion system. Among these, Fp_G08764 and Fp_G03587 triggered cell death, while Fp_G13932 inhibited cell death in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves. Other candidates (Fp_G11318, Fp_G11726, Fp_G09727, Fp_G13547, Fp_G09042, Fp_G08494, and Fp_G11459) exhibited no significant effect on cell death. Additionally, Fp_G11318, Fp_G08764, and Fp_G13932-deletion mutants exhibited reduced pathogenicity on banana peel and N. benthamiana, indicating their essential roles in full virulence. Our results shed more light on the infection mechanism of F. proliferatum, contributing to develop effective techniques to control fungal disease.