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| β-glucan is an essential cell wall structural component in most fungi. The gene (MaGS) (HQ441252), which is homologous to fungal FKS genes, encoding β-1,3-glucan synthase, was cloned from the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae. To clarify its biological functions, we constructed a MaGS RNA interference (RNAi) vector with dual promoter system to knock down MaGS transcript level, and then analyzed RNAi transformant phenotypes. Compared with the wild type, the GS-RNAi transformants were obviously sensitive to the hyperosmotic stress and the compounds that interfere with cell wall synthesis. Meanwhile, aerial hyphae of the colony and conidiation of transformants were notably reduced on PDA with Congo red medium. These results suggest that the expression of MaGS gene influences stress tolerance and conidiation in M. anisopliae. β-1,3-glucan is a helical structure and very important to maintenance of the elasticity of the cell wall in fungi. Reduction in the content of β-1,3-glucan can cause the cell wall to become frangible, which may influence the stress tolerance and conidiation in M. anisopliae. |
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| Keywords:entomopathogenic fungus; MaGS; β-1,3-glucan synthase; cell wall |
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