A Novel FYVE Domain-Containing Protein Kinase, PsZFPK1, Plays a Critical Role in Vegetative Growth, Sporangium Formation, Oospore Production, and Virulence in Phytophthora sojae

Proteins containing both FYVE and serine/threonine kinase catalytic (STKc) domains are exclusive to protists. However, the biological function of these proteins in oomycetes has rarely been reported. In Phytophthora sojae genome database, we identified five STKc domains, which named PsZFPK1, PsZFPK2, PsZFPK3, PsZFPK4, PsZFPK5. this study, characterized PsZFPK1 using a CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene replacement system. Compared with wild-type strain, P6497, PsZFPK1-knockout mutants exhibited significantly reduced growth on nutrient-rich V8 medium, while more pronounced defect was observed nutrient-poor Plich medium. The also showed significant increase sporangium production. Furthermore, found be essential for oospore production complete virulence but dispensable stress response P. sojae. N-terminal region, T602 phosphorylation site were vital PsZFPK1. Conversely, not required localization protein cytoplasm. Our results demonstrate that plays critical role vegetative growth, formation, production,