A complete MAP kinase cascade controls hyphopodium formation and virulence of Verticillium dahliae

Abstract Phytopathogens develop specialized infection-related structures to penetrate plant cells during infection. Different from phytopathogens that form appressoria or haustoria, the soil-borne root-infecting fungal pathogen Verticillium dahliae forms hyphopodia infection, which further differentiate into penetration pegs promote The molecular mechanisms underlying regulation of hyphopodium formation in V. remain poorly characterized. Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are highly conserved cytoplasmic regulate diverse biological processes eukaryotes. Here we found deletion VdKss1 , out five MAPKs encoded by significantly impaired formation, vitro penetration, and pathogenicity cotton plants. Constitutive activation MAPK kinase (MAPKK) VdSte7 (MAPKKK) VdSte11 specifically activate VdKss1. Deletion resulted a phenotype similar mutant with deletion. Thus, this study demonstrates VdSte11-VdSte7-VdKss1 is core cascade regulates .