MoSec61β, the beta subunit of Sec61, is involved in fungal development and pathogenicity, plant immunity, and ER-phagy in Magnaporthe oryzae

ABSTRACTThe process of protein translocation into the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is the initial and decisive step in the biosynthesis of all secretory proteins and many soluble organelle proteins. In this process, the Sec61 complex is the protein-conducting channel for transport. In this study, we identified and characterized the β subunit of the Sec61 complex in Magnaporthe oryzae(MoSec61β). Compared with the wild-type strain Guy11, the ΔMosec61βmutant exhibited highly branched mycelial morphology, reduced conidiation, high sensitivity to cell wall integrity stress, severely reduced virulence to rice and barley, and restricted biotrophic invasion. The turgor pressure of ΔMosec61βwas notably reduced, which affected the function of appressoria. Moreover, ΔMosec61βwas also sensitive to oxidative stress and exhibited a reduced ability to overcome plant immunity. Further examination demonstrated that MoSec61β affected the normal secretion of the apoplastic effectors Bas4 and Slp1. In addition, ΔMosec61βupregulated the level of ER-phagy. In conclusion, our results demonstrate the importance of the roles played by MoSec61β in the fungal development and pathogenesis of M. oryzae.