Stage‐specific regulation of purine metabolism during infectious growth and sexual reproduction in <i>Fusarium graminearum</i>

Summary Ascospores generated during sexual reproduction are the primary inoculum for wheat scab fungus Fusarium graminearum . Purine metabolism is known to play important roles in fungal pathogens but its lifecycle stage‐specific regulation unclear. By characterizing genes involved purine de novo and salvage biosynthesis pathways, we showed that syntheses of inosine, adenosine guanosine monophosphates (IMP, AMP GMP) vegetative growth, sexual/asexual reproduction, infectious whereas synthesis dispensable these stages F. Addition GMP rescued defects Fgimd1 mutant growth conidiation not addition all Fgade12 mutant, suggesting function rather than distinct stages. Moreover, Acd1, an ortholog deaminase, essential ascosporogenesis pathogenesis, catabolism has functions growth. The expression almost downregulated relative This study revealed reproduction.