The peroxisomal matrix shuttling receptor Pex5 plays a role in FB1 production and virulence in Fusarium verticillioides

The peroxisomal matrix oxidase, catalase and peroxidase are imported peroxisomes through the shuttling receptors, which regulates the cellular oxidative homeostasis and function. Here, we report that PTS1 shuttling receptor FvPex5 is involved in the localization of PTS1, utilization of carbon sources and lipids, elimination ROS, cell wall stress, conidiation, fumonisin B₁ (FB₁) production, and virulence in maize pathogen Fusarium verticillioides. Significantly, differential expression of PTS1-, PTS2-, PEX- and FB₁ toxin-related genes in wild type and ΔFvpex5 mutant were examined by RNA-Seq analyses and confirmed by RT-PCR assay. In addition, different expression of PTS1 and PTS2 genes of the ΔFvpex5 mutant were enriched in diverse biochemical pathways, such as carbon metabolism, nitrogen metabolism, lipid metabolism and the oxidation balance by combining GO and KEGG annotations. Overall, we showed that FvPex5 is involved in the regulation of genes associated with PTS, thereby affecting the oxidation balance, FB₁ and virulence in F. verticillioides. The results help to clarify the functional divergence of Pex5 orthologs, and may provide a possible target for controlling F. verticillioides infections and FB₁ biosynthesis.