Wuyiencin reduces the virulence and patulin production of Penicillium expansum by interfering with its membrane integrity and patulin synthesis pathway

Fruit decay and toxin pollution caused by fungal infection have become a focus of public attention. As the causal agent of blue mold, Penicillium expansum causes severe losses in various fruits and vegetables. In addition, P. expansum produces patulin, a carcinogenic toxin that contaminates fruit products. Wuyiencin has been widely used to control fungal diseases in fruits and vegetables. However, the effects of wuyiencin on controlling P. expansum and its mechanism of action are largely unknown. In this study, the inhibitory effects of wuyiencin on growth, virulence and patulin production of P. expansum were evaluated, and the possible mechanisms were examined and verified by transcriptome analysis, cell leakage detection and RT-qPCR. It was found that wuyiencin treatment inhibited the growth, virulence and patulin production of P. expansum. Genes for membrane proteins were overexpressed, while genes related to membrane-bounded organelles were repressed. Cell membrane integrity was destroyed. Additionally, the expression of patulin synthesis-related genes and translation/protein processing-related genes were altered. The above results indicate that wuyiencin was effective in controlling the growth, virulence and patulin production of P. expansum by destroying cell membrane functions, and altering the expressions of patulin synthesis-related genes and translation/protein processing-related genes.