Transcriptome-wide N6-methyladenosinem modifications analysis of growth and fumonisins production in Fusarium proliferatum causing banana crown rot.

Crown rot caused by Fusarium proliferatum is a severe postharvest disease of banana fruit. The N⁶-methyladenosine (m⁶A) modification is the most common type of RNA modification and regulates gene expression in eukaryotes. Here, we analyzed transcriptome-wide changes in m⁶A methylation to investigate post-transcriptional regulation mechanisms of growth and fumonisin biosynthesis of F. proliferatum after fluopyram (Flu) treatment. The results demonstrated that Flu treatment inhibited F. proliferatum growth but induced fumonisins (FB1 and FB2) production both in vitro and in vivo. A transcriptome-wide m⁶A methylation profile showed that m⁶A hypomethylation was induced by Flu and enriched in start codons and the 3' untranslated region. FpAlkbh8 and FpYthdc1 may contribute to the decrease in m⁶A modifications after Flu treatment. The expression levels of m⁶A-containing mRNAs were higher than those of non-m⁶A-containing mRNAs. Furthermore, Flu decreased the acetyl-CoA content and regulated glycolysis and tricarboxylic acid cycle through m⁶A modifications, diverting the acetyl-CoA flux into fumonisin biosynthesis. Importantly, Flu-mediated regulation of energy and reactive oxygen species metabolism, cell wall and membrane, and transcription factors was associated with m⁶A modifications. Collectively, this study provides potential novel targets for improving fungicide efficiency to control fungal disease and highlights the potential of environmental risks of fungicides.