The small GTPase BcSec4 is involved in conidiophore development, membrane integrity, and autophagy in Botrytis cinerea

Abstract Small GTPases of the Rab family play important roles in membrane trafficking and autophagy. Previous studies have shown that small GTPase Sec4 is involved vegetative growth, protein secretion, pathogenicity fungal phytopathogens. In this study, BcSec4, an ortholog yeast Sec4p protein, was characterized Botrytis cinerea . The ΔBcSEC4 mutant produces many abnormal conidiophores; it thus defective conidiation displays attenuated pathogenicity. Notably, germination penetration conidia are unaffected mutant. Further showed secretion extracellular proteins altered mutant, impaired autophagy defects integrity. Taken together, these results suggest BcSec4 critical for conidiophore development, integrity, pathogenicity,