The biological relevance of the FspTF transcription factor, homologous of Bqt4, in Fusarium sp. associated with the ambrosia beetle Xylosandrus morigerus

Transcription factors in phytopathogenic fungi are key players due to their gene expression regulation leading fungal growth and pathogenicity. The KilA-N family encompasses transcription unique fungi, the Bqt4 subfamily is included it poorly understood filamentous fungi. In this study, we evaluated role pathogenesis of homologous Bqt4, FspTF, Fusarium sp. isolated from ambrosia beetle Xylosandrus morigerus through characterization a CRISPR/Cas9 edited strain Fsp tf. phenotypic analysis revealed that TF65-6, strain, modified its mycelia conidia production, exhibited affectation culture pigmentation, response certain stress conditions. addition, plant infection process was compromised. Untargeted metabolomic transcriptomic analysis, clearly showed FspTF may regulate secondary metabolism, transmembrane transport, virulence, diverse metabolic pathways such as lipid signal transduction. These data highlight for first time biological relevance an orthologue associated with beetle.