DNA methylation-dependent epigenetic regulation of Verticillium dahliae virulence in plants

Abstract As a conserved epigenetic mark, DNA cytosine methylation, at the 5’ position (5-mC), plays important roles in multiple biological processes, including plant immunity. However, involvement of methylation determinants virulence phytopathogenic fungi remains elusive. In this study, we profiled patterns fungus Verticillium dahliae , one major causal pathogens wilt disease that causes great losses many crops, and explored its contribution fungal pathogenicity. We reveal modification is present V. required for full host plants. The enzymes responsible establishment were identified. provided evidence methyltransferase-mediated pattern positively regulates virulence, mainly through repressing protein kinase VdRim15-mediated Ca 2+ signaling ROS production, which essential penetration activity . addition, further demonstrated histone H3 lysine 9 trimethylation (H3K9me3), another heterochromatin marker closely associated with 5-mC eukaryotes, also participates regulation pathogenicity, similar mechanism. More importantly, methyltransferase genes VdRid VdDnmt5, as well H3K9me3 genes, greatly induced during early infection phase, implying dynamic homeostasis an efficient infection. Collectively, our findings uncover mechanism virulence.