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High-variance phenome database reveals important roles of WD40 proteins in the plant pathogenic fungus Fusarium graminearum.

Abstract

WD40 is a highly conserved protein domain in eukaryotes that functions as a versatile platform for protein-protein interactions and participates in diverse biological processes. We performed a genome-wide functional analysis of WD40 domain-containing proteins in Fusarium graminearum, a phytopathogenic fungus that causes severe yield losses and mycotoxin contamination in major cereal crops. Comprehensive phenotypic profiling of 119 WD40 gene deletion mutants across 22 phenotypic traits established a systematic WD40 phenome dataset, revealing the broad functional involvement of WD40 proteins and a strong correlation between sexual reproduction and virulence. Protein interaction analyses of selected WD40 proteins revealed diverse WD40-mediated interaction patterns and provided further insights into WD40-mediated protein interactions and their roles in protein complex formation. This study provides a foundation for further characterization of WD40 proteins in filamentous fungi.

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Soyoung Choi, Nahyun Lee, Jiyeun Park, Hosung Jeon, Sieun Kim, Jung-Eun Kim, Jiyoung Shin, Heeji Moon, Kyunghun Min, Yejin Choi, Aram Hwangbo, Hun Kim, Gyung Ja Choi, Yin-Won Lee, Dae-Geun Song, Hokyoung Son. 2026-08-31. High-variance phenome database reveals important roles of WD40 proteins in the plant pathogenic fungus Fusarium graminearum.. https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.71547

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