Roles of Peroxisomes in the Rice Blast Fungus

Abstract

The rice blast fungus, Magnaporthe oryzae, is a model plant pathogenic fungus and is a severe threat to global rice production. Over the past two decades, it has been found that the peroxisomes play indispensable roles during M. oryzae infection. Given the importance of the peroxisomes for virulence, we review recent advances of the peroxisomes roles during M. oryzae infection processes. We firstly introduce the molecular mechanisms and life cycles of the peroxisomes. And then, metabolic functions related to the peroxisomes are also discussed. Finally, we provide an overview of the relationship between peroxisomes and pathogenicity.

1. Introduction

Peroxisomes are single membrane-bound microbodies which existed in all eukaryotic cells. In different organisms and environmental conditions, their abundance can be changed rapidly, and functions could be different. The abundance of peroxisomes is coordinated by several cellular processes, including peroxisome biogenesis, peroxisome proliferation, and peroxisome degradation [1]. In budding yeast, the genes involved in those cellular processes include a set of PEX genes, which encode peroxins [2]. Up to now, over 30 PEX genes have been found in different organisms [2].

There are several important metabolic processes that take place in peroxisomes, which involve fatty acids β-oxidation, glyoxylate cycle, hydrogen peroxide detoxification and secondary metabolite biosynthesis, and so forth [1]. The roles of peroxisomes have been extensively uncovered in yeast, filamentous fungi, plant, and human [3]. Some peroxisome functions are species specific, such as the methanol assimilation in yeast [4], the glyoxylate cycle in plant seeds [5], and the plasmalogens biosynthesis in mammal [6]. In filamentous fungi, they can develop a special compartment, the peroxisome-derived woronin body, to seal the septal pore when suffered cellular wounding [7].

The molecular mechanisms of peroxisome life cycle have been extensively studied in yeast [2]. Peroxisome studies in the filamentous fungi are also increased rapidly, especially in the model filamentous fungi Aspergillus nidulans [8, 9] and Neurospora crassa [10–12], the plant pathogens Colletotrichum orbiculare [13–15] and Magnaporthe oryzae [16–20], and the human pathogens Candida albicans [21, 22], Aspergillus fumigatus [23, 24], and Cryptococcus neoformans [25, 26]. An important aspect is that the peroxisomes are found to play key roles in fungal pathogenicity towards their host, including plants and human. In all these pathogenic fungi, the roles of peroxisomes in M. oryzae have received extensive concern.

Over the past two decades, many components involving roles of peroxisomes have been identified in M. oryzae (Table 1). This review focuses on recent advances in our understanding of peroxisomes in M. oryzae, including a description of the peroxisome life cycle during fungal infection, and an overview of their remarkable functions relevant to pathogenesis.

Table 1.

Peroxisome-related genes identified in M. oryzae.

Gene	Functions	References
Peroxisome biogenesis
MoPEX5	Receptor of PTS1 peroxisomal matrix proteins	[18]
MoPEX6	Peroxisomal matrix protein import	[28]
MoPEX7	Receptor of PTS2 peroxisomal matrix proteins	[17, 18]
MoPEX19	Peroxisomal membrane proteins import	[16]
Peroxisome fission
MoPEX11A/11B/11C	Peroxisome elongation	[20]
PEF1	Peroxisome division	[33]
MoFis1	Peroxisome division	[36]
Pexophagy
MoSNX41	Pexophagy and retrieval trafficking	[19]
MoPEX14	Pexophagy	[19]
Woronin body
HEX1	Seal the septal pore	[45]
β-oxidation
MFP1	Peroxisome β-oxidation	[47]
PTH2	Acetyl CoA transportation	[48]
CRAT2	Acetyl CoA transportation	[48]
MoCRC1	Carnitine-acylcarnitine carrier	[49]
Glyoxylate cycle
ICL1	Isocitrate lyase/glyoxylate cycle	[50]
Redox homeostasis
AGT1	Synthesis of the pyruvate	[51]

2. Life Cycle of the Peroxisomes

The peroxisome life cycle mainly includes peroxisome biogenesis, peroxisome proliferation, and peroxisome degradation [27]. The peroxisomes are thought to be born originally from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) [27]. Basically, the biogenesis process contains peroxisomal membrane proteins (PMPs) acquisition and peroxisomal matrix proteins import. Peroxisome proliferation can be achieved by either de novo formation from ER or/and peroxisome fission. When the peroxisomes have finished their mission, they can be degraded by pexophagy, an autophagic process [27].

In M. oryzae, there are several PEX genes involving peroxisome life cycle that have been characterized, including MoPEX5, MoPEX6, MoPEX7, MoPEX14, MoPEX19, and MoPEX11 family genes. MoPEX5 and MoPEX7 are involved in matrix proteins import [17, 18], MoPEX6 participates in receptors import for recycling [28], MoPex14 functions as a matrix docking protein [19], MoPEX19 functions as chaperone and receptor for importing of both matrix proteins and PMPs [16], and MoPEX11 family genes are involved in peroxisomal fission processes [20].

2.1. Peroxisome Biogenesis

In yeast, during peroxisome biogenesis, peroxisome membrane proteins (PMPs) should firstly be inserted into membranes, which are mediated by PEX3, PEX16, and PEX19 [29–31]. Then the peroxisomal matrix proteins, which are synthesized in the cytoplasm, are translocated into the peroxisomes by peroxisome membrane docking complex [32]. Most of the peroxisomal matrix proteins contain either PTS1 (type I peroxisomal targeting signal) at the C-terminus or PTS2 (type II peroxisomal targeting signal) at the N-terminal and can be recognized by shuttle receptors Pex5 or Pex7-mediated complex, respectively. The cargos on the PTS1 and PTS2 receptors are accepted by the Pex13/Pex14/Pex17 docking complex, and then the receptors are recycled by the ubiquitin system. The ubiquitinated receptors can be extracted into cytoplasm by AAA+ ATPases Pex1 and Pex6 [27].

In M. oryzae, MoPex19 is the ortholog of yeast PMPs receptor Pex19. Pex19 protein is located in the cytoplasm and newly formed peroxisomes, which is consistent with its PMPs receptor function that shuttles the PMPs between the cytosol and peroxisomal membrane [30]. Deletion of MoPEX19 will lead to PMPs mislocalization. PMP47 is a representative PMP which is normally distributed in the peroxisomes in the wild type strain, while in the MoPEX19 deletion mutants, its localization pattern is changed, which is distributed in the cytoplasm [16]. This demonstrated that the PMP47 cannot be imported into the peroxisomes. Moreover, in the Δmopex19 mutants, peroxisomal structures and peroxisome-derived woronin bodies are both absent [16], indicating that the MoPex19 is essential for biogenesis of peroxisomes and woronin bodies.

M. oryzae MoPex5 and MoPex7 are also proved to function as receptors of peroxisomal matrix proteins, which are involved in importing of the matrix proteins into peroxisomes [17, 18]. Disruption of MoPEX5 and MoPEX7 will block the PTS1 and PTS2 peroxisomal import pathways, respectively. In the wild type strain, RFP-PTS1 and GFP-PTS2 are normally distributed in the punctuate peroxisomes, while in the Δmopex5 mutants, RFP-PTS1 is dispersed in cytoplasm but GFP-PTS2 is still located in peroxisomes. In contrast, in the Δmopex7 mutants, RFP-PTS1 is still located in peroxisomes but GFP-PTS2 is dispersed in cytoplasm. These results demonstrated the MoPex5-mediated PTS1 peroxisomal import pathway and MoPex7-mediated PTS2 peroxisomal import pathway separately function in the rice blast fungus [17, 18]. The thiolase MoThl1 is a candidate PTS2 protein; it is failed to be located at the peroxisomes in the Δmopex7 mutants [17], which further supports the role of MoPex7 in the PTS2 peroxisomal protein import pathway.

The function of Pex6 ortholog in M. oryzae, MoPex6, was also evaluated [28]. In MoPEX6 disruption mutants, the GFP-SRL protein is diffused in the cytoplasm, failed to be localized in the punctuate peroxisomes in mycelia, conidia, germ tubes, and appressoria [28], indicating the PTS peroxisomal import pathway is blocked. This result is consistent with the cellular function of Pex6, which is involved in recycling of matrix protein receptors (Pex5 and Pex7) during peroxisome biogenesis.

In the MoPEX14 disruption mutants, the GFP-SRL protein is also mislocalized to the cytoplasm, while when the PEX14 _61-361 or PEX14 _1-258 is expressed in the Δmopex14 mutants, the punctate localization of GFP-SRL can be restored [19]. These data confirmed the functions of MoPex14, which act as a matrix docking protein to facilitate peroxisomal protein import and peroxisome biogenesis.

2.2. Peroxisome Proliferation

Peroxisomes can proliferate rapidly according to suitable environment stimulation. The proliferation processes can be achieved by de novo biogenesis from the ER, or by fission from the preexisting peroxisomes. In yeast, the peroxisome fission processes mainly consist of several steps. At the beginning, the mature peroxisomes are elongated by the functions of the peroxisomal membrane protein Pex11. Then the matrix proteins can be imported into the elongated peroxisomes, and the fission machinery can also be imported into appropriate place for fission. The dynamin-like protein Dnm1 is located at the constriction sites and leads to membrane fission processes by GTP hydrolysis. At last, the daughter peroxisomes can be produced from the fission processes, which is achieved by cooperation of several proteins, including Fis1, Dnm1, and the adaptors Mdv1 or Caf4 [27].

The peroxisome fission process in M. oryzae is identified recently, by several independent studies. There are three members of PEX11 family genes in M. oryzae genome, named MoPEX11A, MoPEX11B, and MoPEX11C, respectively [20]. However, it seems that only MoPEX11A plays vital role in peroxisome fission. The MoPEX11A deletion mutant exhibits decreased but enlarged peroxisomes compared to the wild type, which demonstrated the MoPEX11A is important for peroxisome elongation and proliferation. In contrast, the MoPEX11B and MoPEX11C deletion mutants are normal in both number and size of the peroxisomes [20], indicating they could not be key regulators during peroxisomal proliferation.

There is only one counterpart of Mdv1/Caf4 protein in M. oryzae, named PEF1 [peroxisome fission protein 1] [33]. This gene may play dual roles of Mdv1 and Caf4, because deletion of PEF1 will lead to evident peroxisomal fission defect during the fission inducing conditions. The Δpef1 mutant forms string-linked peroxisomes, in contrast to the punctuate structures in normal cells [33]. Similar situation can be found in the Δmdv1Δcaf4 double mutant or the Δfis1 and Δdnm1 mutants in yeast [34]. The phenotypic defect indicates that the daughter peroxisomes cannot be cut from the elongated peroxisomes in Δpef1. Pef1 can bind to Fis1 with its N-terminal extension (NTE) region and to Dnm1 with its C-terminal WD40 repeat region. With the help of adaptors Mdv1 or Caf4, the outer membrane protein Fis1 can recruit Dnm1 to peroxisomes for fission [35]. Pef1 can be well colocalized with MoFis1, which is recently reported to play important roles in mitochondria fission in M. oryzae [36]. This is intelligible, because in S. cerevisiae, the peroxisome fission machinery can be also used to facilitate mitochondria fission process.

2.3. Peroxisome Degradation

Peroxisome abundance can be rapidly cleared by a selective autophagic process, which is known as the pexophagy. In yeast, there are two different peroxisome degradation modes, macropexophagy and micropexophagy [37]. The macropexophagy sequesters peroxisomes to form a pexophagosome, which leads the peroxisomes to vacuole for degradation. The micropexophagy encloses peroxisomes by vacuolar membrane protrusions and the micropexophagy specific membrane apparatus (MIPA) to vacuole for degradation [37]. There are several ATG and PEX genes reported to be involved in perophagy [37].

In Pichia pastoris, ATG30 is required for both of macropexophagy and micropexophagy [38], but no ATG30 homolog gene can be found in M. oryzae. In P. pastoris and C. orbiculare, ATG26 plays key roles in pexophagy, and the CoATG26 is essential for infection process [13, 39]. However, In M. oryzae, MoATG26 is not involved in pexophagy and is dispensable for virulence [19].

In S. cerevisiae, the pexophagy process can be mediated by Atg20/Snx42 [40]. By the assistance of sorting nexins Snx41 and Atg24/Snx4, Atg20/Snx42 can be also involved in endosomal retrieval trafficking [40]. However, only one protein [MoSnx41] with high similarity to Snx41 and Snx42/Atg20 can be found in M. oryzae. Studies have found that the MoSNX41 plays key roles in conidiation and pathogenesis. Deletion of MoSNX41 leads to pexophagy deficiency, demonstrating this gene is involved in pexophagy in M. oryzae. The yeast ScSnx42 can restore the pexophagy deficiency of the Δmosnx41 mutant but failed to recover the defects of conidiation and pathogenesis, indicating the pexophagy process is dispensable for development and pathogenicity in M. oryzae. The function of MoSnx41 in conidiation and pathogenesis is mediated by Snx41-dependent retrieval trafficking, but not pexophagy [19]. As a peroxisomal membrane protein, PEX14 is also involved in pexophagy of Hansenula polymorpha [41]. In M. oryzae, the MoPex14 has also been proved to be essential for pexophagy, but dispensable for pathogenicity.

2.4. Peroxisome Differentiation

Filamentous fungi can form a special structure, called woronin body (WB), which is differentiated from the peroxisomes [42]. It is accepted that the peroxisome-related woronin bodies are used to seal the septal pore when suffering cellular wounding [43]. The formation mechanism of woronin bodies has been well studied in Neurospora crassa [44]. Hexagonal peroxisome Hex1 is the major structural protein in woronin body, which can be imported into the peroxisome matrix and assembled to form a woronin body core structure. This core structure can recruit WB sorting complex protein [WSC] into the peroxisome membrane. Then the nascent WB can be budded from the mother peroxisomes.

In M. oryzae, the HEX1 homolog gene has been cloned and the roles of the woronin bodies have also been uncovered by analyses of the MoHEX1 functions. The woronin body is proved to be required for development, appressoria formation, and infection hyphae growth and therefore is essential for pathogenicity in M. oryzae [45]. Ultrastructural analyses proved that the woronin bodies are located adjacent to septa of mycelia, germ tubes, and infection hyphae, but they are less observed in conidia. The HEX1 deletion mutant is lack of woronin bodies, and when the cells are damaged, the cellular materials will bleed out through the septal pores. The M. oryzae Hex1 protein contains the PTS1 peroxisome targeting signal, which can help it locate into the peroxisomes. For the woronin bodies being formed from the peroxisomes, defects in peroxisome formation cycles could lead to defect in woronin body formation. Consistent to this hypothesis, nearly all disruption of the genes involving in peroxisome life cycle can result in woronin body deficiency [45].

2.5. Regulation of Peroxisome Dynamics

The peroxisomes in the cell are dynamics according to environmental conditions and development stages. Occupancy of the peroxisomes in a cell is determined by several processes, including peroxisome biogenesis, peroxisome proliferation [de novo formation and fission], and peroxisome degradation (pexophagy). De novo biogenesis and fission process are both used to increase peroxisomes numbers. However, how to coordinate de novo formation and peroxisomal fission remains unclear. It is possible that both of the ER formation and fission of the preexisting peroxisomes might exist in normal conditions. It is supposed that, upon the peroxisome fission inducing conditions, such as in fatty acids condition, the peroxisomes are needed to be largely produced in a short time and the de novo formation process may be not enough or effective. In contrast, the peroxisome fission cycles would fulfill peroxisome demands in a limited time. During infection of M. oryzae, the lipid stores should be utilized less than 12 h. The rapid lipolysis of lipid bodies produced mass fatty acids, which in turn induces peroxisome fission process (de novo biogenesis efficiency could also be elevated), and massive peroxisomes are produced in short time, thus promoting fatty acids utilization and facilitating infection. When fatty acids are utilized, the peroxisomes should be decreased in a short time, and then they can be degraded by pexophagy. In C. orbiculare, the CoAtg26-dependent pexophagy is used to recycle cellular amino acids of the appressoria for infection [13]. How the peroxisome fission and pexophagy are activated and suspended remains obscure.

The Snf1/AMPK pathway plays central role in response to nutrient stress in M. oryzae. A recent study demonstrated that the MoSnf1 pathway can regulate peroxisomal maintenance and lipid metabolism by responding to nutrient-free environment [46]. In Δmosnf1 mutant, the peroxisomes are significantly decreased during appressoria formation. Accordingly, the Δmosnf1 mutant is also defect in lipid droplet mobilization, fails to generate enormous turgor, and loses its virulence [46]. Other regulatory mechanisms should also be uncovered in the future.

3. Metabolic Functions of Peroxisomes

Multiple metabolic processes occur in the peroxisomes, which makes the peroxisomes play crucial role in fungal development and pathogenesis. Peroxisomal β-oxidation of fatty acids ubiquitously existed for all eukaryotes. The reactive oxygen species [ROS] homeostasis can be also mediated by peroxisomes. Peroxisomes can be involved in many other metabolic pathways, including glyoxylate cycle in plants and fungi [52], penicillin biosynthesis in Penicillium chrysogenum [53], and melanin biogenesis in filamentous fungi [54].

3.1. Fatty Acid β-Oxidation

The β-oxidation metabolism is mainly used to degrade fatty acids for nutrient and energy utilization [55]. This metabolic process involves four major enzymes, acyl-CoA oxidase, 2-enoyl-CoA hydratase, 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase, and 3-ketoacyl-CoA thiolase. Through a four-step pathway mediated by these enzymes, the acetyl-CoA is produced [55]. The acetyl-CoA can be fed to the glyoxylate cycle and gluconeogenesis to produce nutrient or metabolites.

In M. oryzae, the Mfp1/Fox2 protein has been shown to play an important role in fatty acid metabolism and pathogenesis [47]. The Δmfp1 mutants cannot grow on olive oil or oleic acid as sole carbon sources, indicating its roles in fatty acids metabolism. The expression level of MFP1 is significantly induced in the olive oil condition. The Mfp1GFP fusion protein is well colocalized with FoxA-RFP in the peroxisome-like punctuate structures [47]. Because the A. nidulans FoxA has been proved to be a β-oxidation enzyme and can be located in the peroxisomes, the M. oryzae Mfp1 should also be located in the peroxisomes and is required for fatty acid β-oxidation.

In the past, β-oxidation is thought to occur exclusively in peroxisomes in the filamentous fungi, while it can occur in both peroxisomes and mitochondria in mammal. However, recent studies demonstrated that the mitochondrial β-oxidation is also functional and important for the infection of the fungal pathogens [56]. In M. oryzae, Enoyl-CoA hydratase Ech1 is an important mitochondrial β-oxidation enzyme, which is important for conidial germination, appressoria penetration, and host colonization. The Δech1 mutant cannot utilize C14 fatty acid and also cannot well utilize C16 and C18 fatty acids. Consequently, Δech1 is reduced in melanization and sensitive to oxidative stress. Generally, the short- and medium-chain fatty acids (less than 20C) can be oxidized in mitochondria, while long-chain fatty acids (over 20C) should be degraded in peroxisomes to shorter chain fatty acids for full oxidation in mitochondria [56]. Thus, the mitochondrial β-oxidation and peroxisomal β-oxidation can collaborate with each other for different length fatty acid oxidation in M. oryzae.

Acetyl CoA is the main product of fatty acid β-oxidation in the appressorium of M. oryzae, which must be transported into different cellular compartments for consumption. The acetyl CoA transportation is catalysed by carnitine acetyl transferases (CATs). In budding yeast S. cerevisiae, Cat2 is involved in transferring acetyl CoA to the cytoplasm, while Cat1 is used to transfer acetyl CoA into mitochondria for utilization by the tricarboxylic acid cycle [57]. Two CAT genes, PTH2 and CRAT2, have been studied in M. oryzae [48]. The results demonstrated that PTH2 plays major role in acetyl CoA transfer. Pth2-GFP protein is colocalized with the peroxisome marker protein and is abundant in appressoria. The Δpth2 is reduced in melanin deposition, defect in host penetration, and essential for pathogenesis [48]. Further analysis found that the Δpth2 mutant cannot utilize some lipid substrates. In contrast, the Δcrat2 displays no evident defect in those mentioned phenotypes [48]. The carnitine-acylcarnitine carrier protein Crc1 functions in transferring the acetyl CoA cross the mitochondrial membrane. The M. oryzae MoCRC1 deletion mutant is severely reduced in appressorial penetration and invasive growth. MoCRC1 is also needed for utilization of olive oil [49].

3.2. Glyoxylate Cycle

The glyoxylate cycle is a metabolic pathway which can be normally found in plants and fungi [52]. This pathway can assimilate acetyl CoA for gluconeogenesis and eventually generate glucose. The glyoxylate cycle is mainly induced when the fatty acids and acetate should be used [52]. The fatty acid β-oxidation pathway produces massive acetyl CoA, which will be processed by glyoxylate cycle. In this pathway, the acetyl CoA can be converted to glyoxylate by isocitrate lyase, and then the glyoxylate can be further converted to malate by malate synthase. The malate can be further metabolized to hexoses by gluconeogenesis.

The isocitrate lyase (Icl1) and malate synthase (Mls1) are two of principal enzymes involving glyoxylate cycle [52]. In M. oryzae, ICL1 is highly expressed during appressoria formation and penetration stages, indicating that the glyoxylate cycle should be induced in these stages [50]. Defect in peroxisome biogenesis will lead to loss functions of glyoxylate cycle. For example, disruption of MoPEX19 will result in failure in acetate utilization [16].

3.3. Redox Homeostasis

Oxidative reactions are theme of the peroxisome metabolism, which generates massive reactive oxidative species (ROS), especially the hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) [58]. In order to eliminate harmful ROS, ROS scavenging becomes an important peroxisomal metabolism. To detoxification, the hydrogen peroxide can be scavenged by catalases and peroxidases, which are abundant in peroxisomes. A number of catalases and peroxidases are predicted in genome of M. oryzae, and some of which (such as CATB and CPXB) have been reported to function in host ROS detoxification [59, 60]. However, no catalase or peroxidase has been revealed to take part in intracellular peroxisome ROS detoxification. Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) and peroxiredoxins (PRXs) are other antioxidant enzymes existing in peroxisomes [61]. There is also no GST or PRX protein reported to play roles in peroxisome ROS detoxification. In Alternaria brassicicola and A. fumigatus, a transmembrane protein TmpL has been identified and proved to be important for reduction of intracellular ROS and detoxification of external ROS and thus is important for fungal infection. TmpL can be located in the woronin body, and its expression level is evidently elevated in conidiation and initial invasive growth stages [62].

During peroxisome β-oxidation process, acetyl-CoA formation will accompany mass formation of FADH2 and NADH. To keep peroxisome redox homeostasis, the FADH2 and NADH should be eliminated. For the NADH, it can be reoxidated to NAD⁺. This reaction can be catalyzed by the peroxisomal lactate dehydrogenase, which can mediate production of lactate from pyruvate. In M. oryzae, the pyruvate is generated by the alanine: glyoxylate aminotransferase 1 (AGT1), which transfers the alanine amino group to glyoxylate and results in formation of the pyruvate. AGT1GFP is colocalized with RFP-MTS1 fusion protein, demonstrating that AGT1 is located in the peroxisomes [51]. The Δagt1 mutant cannot form appressoria on artificial inductive surface. When the NAD⁺ and pyruvate were added during conidia germination on artificial inductive surface, the appressorium formation can be restored [51]. Thus, the AGT-mediated pyruvate generation can function as one of factors to maintain redox homeostasis during appressoria formation.

3.4. Melanin Biosynthesis

In filamentous fungi, peroxisomes not only are crucial for the primary metabolism, but also play important roles in the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. Many plant pathogenic fungi can produce melanin to protect the conidia to survive in different environment and to facilitate host penetration during infection. The dihydroxy naphthalene (DHN) melanin is well studied and found to be essential for appressorial mediated penetration in M. oryzae. The fungal appressorium contains a distinct melanin layer located between the cell wall and the membrane, which can be used to generate turgor for penetration. The DHN melanin is synthesized by the polyketide pathway, through which the peroxisomes-derived acetyl-CoA can be used to produce the 1,3,6,8-tetrahydroxynaphthalene (1,3,6,8-THN). The 1,3,6,8-THN is then used to synthesize the DHN melanin, catalyzed by a series of enzymes, including Alb1, Rsy1, and Buf1 [63].

Because the acetyl-CoA is mainly produced in peroxisomes, defects in peroxisome formation would lead to block in melanin synthesis. Consistent with this prediction, all disruptions of the peroxisome biogenesis-related genes can result in melanin deficiency.

3.5. Cell Wall Biosynthesis

The fungal cell wall mainly consists of chitin, β-1,3-glucan, β-1,6-glucan, and mannoproteins [64]. This rigid structure can protect fungal from extracellular stresses and is flexible for adaptation to development and environment [64]. It is believed that fungal cell wall chitin and glucan are derived from acetyl-CoA, and the defects in peroxisomes will lead to deficiency in cell wall integrity. Consistent with this hypothesis, the M. oryzae MoPEX5, MoPEX6, and MoPEX19 deletion mutants are all sensitive to the cell wall-perturbing agents, such as Congo Red and Calcofluor White [16, 18, 28].

4. Peroxisome and Pathogenicity

Functions of peroxisomes have been studied in kinds of organisms, including the filamentous fungi. In fungal pathogens, an intriguing feature is their roles in pathogenicity. It is reported that peroxisomes are required for virulence of almost all fungal pathogens, such as the plant pathogens C. orbiculare and M. oryzae, the insect pathogen M. robertsii, and the human pathogens C. albicans, A. fumigatus and C. neoformans.

During infection, M. oryzae can form a specialized structure known as appressorium. Along with the formation and maturation of appressoria, the lipid stores are mobilized and utilized. The lipid stores are firstly coupled to lipolysis, resulting in triglycerides and glycerol; the latter can accumulate enormous turgor pressure. Meanwhile, the triglycerides can be adopted by the peroxisomes for subsequent fatty acids β-oxidation to produce acetyl CoA and ATP. The acetyl CoA can be utilized by the glyoxylate cycle and gluconeogenesis pathway for glucan and chitin biosynthesis; they can also be utilized for melanin biosynthesis. Therefore, the peroxisomes mediated cellular processes and metabolisms can provide key factors, such as melanin and cell wall integrity, and play key roles during M. oryzae infection (Figure 1). Detailed peroxisome-related roles during M. oryzae infection will be described below.

Figure 1.

Life cycle and functions of the peroxisomes in M. oryzae. (a) Model of life cycle of the peroxisomes. The peroxisomes are synthesized from the ER and then mature through peroxisome biogenesis process. During the fission inducing condition, the matured peroxisomes can be elongated, and then the daughter peroxisomes can be produced by the fission process, the newly formed peroxisomes will mature through the biogenesis process, and the matured peroxisomes can be elongated again for another fission cycle. When the fission inducing condition is removed, the redundant peroxisomes can be eliminated through pexophagy process. (b) Function of the peroxisomes during fungal infection. When the conidia attach the host surface, the cAMP/PKA signaling pathway is activated, leading to mobilization of the lipid stores by lipolysis, and produces the fatty acids and glycerol. The glycerol will be used to generate turgor. The fatty acids will be taken by the peroxisomes for β-oxidation, which can produce mass of acetyl CoA. Acetyl CoA can be used by the glyoxylate cycle and gluconeogenesis to produce glucose for infection or be used to synthesize melanin and cell wall components. Together with the glycerol generated turgor, these products can help the fungus to penetrate the cuticle and colonize in the host cells.

4.1. Peroxisome Biogenesis and Pathogenesis

Defects in peroxisomal biogenesis will lead to severe disorder of peroxisomal metabolisms, including fatty acids β-oxidation, glyoxylate cycle, melanin, and cell wall biosynthesis. Consequently, the fungal development and pathogenicity will be severely affected. During germination and appressorial development, the expression of MoPEX19 was evidently elevated. Deletion of this gene will lead to deficiency in glyoxylate cycle and severe defects in development and complete loss of pathogenicity [16]. The Δmopex7 mutant is reduced in utilization of short-chain fatty acids and reduced its capacity in conidiation [17]. The MoPEX5 seems to play more important role than MoPEX7, because the Δmopex5 mutant exhibits more severe defects than Δmopex7, such as failure to utilize some fatty acids, generation of less turgor, and more sensitivity to H₂O₂ pressure. Moreover, distinct defects in developments are also detected in Δmopex5. This phenomenon demonstrated that the PEX5-mediated PTS1 peroxisomal import pathway could be more important than the PEX7-mediated PTS2 peroxisomal import pathway [18]. However, both of the Δmopex5 and Δmopex7 mutants lose their pathogenicity. MoPEX6 is also required for long-chain fatty acids utilization and is essential for pathogenicity. The Δmopex6 mutant forms nonmelanized appressoria; as a result, it cannot form the penetration peg and infection hyphae. Additionally, mycelia of Δmopex6 are more sensitive to Calcofluor White, suggesting the cell wall of the mutant is defect [28].

4.2. Peroxisome Fission and Pathogenesis

Block in peroxisome proliferation can result in failure to increase peroxisome number and impact the peroxisomal metabolism. In M. oryzae, deletion of MoPEX11A and PEF1 can both severely reduce the fatty acids utilization and virulence capacity [20]. However, in contrast to totally loss of virulence in Δmopex5, Δmopex6, Δmopex7, or Δmopex19, the reduction of the virulence in Δmopex11A and Δpef1 is evidently slighter [20, 33]. Other phenotypic defects, such as the melanin layer formation, turgor generation, cell wall integrity, and ROS tolerance, are also slighter in Δmopex11A and Δpef1 [20, 33]. These indicate that the de novo formation, another way for peroxisome proliferation, can still function or compensate the defects of the peroxisome fission in the Δmopex11A and Δpef1 mutants.

4.3. Pexophagy and Pathogenesis

In C. orbiculare, the Atg26-mediated pexophagy has been proved to be essential for pathogenicity, by rapidly removing redundant peroxisomes after appressoria maturation [13]. The recycling of cellular components required for invasive growth could be the primary cause. However, it seems that the pexophagy process could be dispensable for pathogenicity in M oryzae. It has been proved that the Magnaporthe MoATG26 gene is not involved in pexophagy and is dispensable for virulence [19]. Another gene, MoSNX41, obtains the ability to regulate pexophagy in M. oryzae, and it plays important roles in pathogenesis. However, its pathogenicity-related function is not relevant to roles in pexophagy, because the yeast ScSnx42 (homolog of MoSnx41) can restore the pexophagy deficiency of Δmosnx41, but cannot recover the defects of pathogenesis [19]. The function of MoSnx41 in conidiation and pathogenesis could be related to Snx41-dependent retrieval trafficking pathway, which may function in gamma-glutamyl cycle and GSH antioxidant production.

4.4. Woronin Body and Pathogenesis

Failing to form woronin body would result in multiple phenotypic defects in M. oryzae. The Δhex1 mutant is normal in mycelial growth, conidiation, and mating processes, but it forms abnormal appressoria, delayed in host penetration and severely blocked in infection hyphae growth [45]. As a result, Δhex1 is severely reduced in virulence. Besides, lack of HEX1 will also result in failure to survive in nitrogen starvation condition, which could explain why the mutant cannot survive in host cells with kinds of cellular damage. The peroxisome β-oxidation is not affected in Δhex1, indicating the function of woronin body is distinct from the peroxisomes, although it is derived from the latter [45].

4.5. Fatty Acid β-Oxidation and Pathogenesis

Peroxisomal β-oxidation is one of the chief catabolic processes during fungal infection, which can produce acetyl CoA and energy, as well as glycerol. The glycerol is used to form appressoria turgor, and the acetyl CoA can be used by the glyoxylate cycle to produce nutrient; it also can be used to synthesize melanin and cell wall contents, or other purposes. All of the mentioned products are critical for fungal infection. In M. oryzae, the Mfp1 protein involving in peroxisomal β-oxidation is proved to play important roles in fatty acid metabolism and pathogenesis [47]. Defects in peroxisome biogenesis will severely block fatty acids β-oxidation, and all peroxisome biogenesis and peroxisome fission-related genes are important for fatty acids β-oxidation. For example, the PEX6 disruption mutant is defect in olive oil utilization, cell wall integrity, and appressorial melanization and is lost in penetration capacity [28]. Block in acetyl CoA transportation will lead to similar defect in those mentioned cellular processes. The Δpth2 mutant produces less melanin than the wild type and fails to penetrate the host cells and thus is essential for pathogenesis [48]. It cannot grow on lipid substrates. MoCRC1 is also required for olive oil utilization. The Δmocrc1 deletion mutant is severely reduced in penetration and invasive growth. The β-oxidation can also occur in mitochondria [49]. However, it seems like that the peroxisomal β-oxidation is important for appressoria-mediated penetration, while the mitochondrial β-oxidation functions in conidial viability and keeping redox homeostasis during host colonization.

4.6. Glyoxylate Cycle and Pathogenesis

The peroxisomal β-oxidation produced acetyl CoA should be used by the glyoxylate cycle to provide a mechanism for glucose generation. Glyoxylate cycle enzymes, such as Icl1, are required for full virulence of M. oryzae. The expression of ICL1 is significantly elevated during conidial germination, appressorium formation, and penetration peg formation stages. Correspondingly, the Δicl1 mutant is delayed in conidial germination and appressorium formation and retards in cuticle penetration [50].

4.7. Redox Homeostasis and Pathogenesis

Accompanied with the degradation of fatty acids, redox homeostasis will be broken, where it is harmful to the fungi and must be rebalanced quickly. Failure in removing redundant oxides may lead to reducing of infection. For example, acetyl-CoA formation resulted in mass NADH, which can be eliminated by reoxidating it to NAD⁺. This reaction is catalyzed by peroxisomal lactate dehydrogenase and needs pyruvate. The pyruvate is generated by the alanine: glyoxylate aminotransferase 1 (Agt1) in M. oryzae. The Δagt1 mutant fails to penetration via appressoria and totally lost its pathogenicity [51].

5. Conclusions and Perspective

As a model plant pathogen, the rice blast fungus M. oryzae gains more attention on role of peroxisomes than other pathogens. Considerable progress has been made for us to understand life cycle and functions of the peroxisomes in the filamentous fungi. Knowledge gained from past studies will provide comprehensive understanding in the peroxisomes and may lead to develop novel targets for new drugs against pathogenic fungi. The mechanistic details the peroxisome life cycle and functions are developing rapidly, but how these processes can be well tuned according to the developmental stages and environmental conditions is largely unknown. In the future, efforts should be done to elucidate these regulatory mechanisms.

A large number of PEX genes can be found in the genome of M. oryzae; the precise roles of these should be further characterized in the future. Another challenge is to reveal the mechanism of de novo synthesis and uncover its roles during appressorium formation. The connections between the peroxisomes and other cellular processes or structures should also be addressed. Genome-wide screening of peroxisome-related genes and global analysis of the PEX genes can help us to systematically investigate functions and mechanisms of the peroxisomes. The omics approaches can help us to establish the peroxisomal regulatory networks.

Competing Interests

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests regarding the publication of this paper.