SsCat2 encodes a catalase that is critical for the antioxidant response, QoI fungicide sensitivity, and pathogenicity of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum.

Abstract Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is a destructive necrotrophic fungal pathogen with worldwide distribution. The metabolism of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is critical for the development and infection process of this economically important pathogen. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is converted into water and dioxygen by catalases, which are major ROS scavengers in cells. Several genes have been predicted to encode the catalases of S. sclerotiorum, but the critical ones that function in the ROS stress response are still unknown. In this research, a catalase gene called SsCat2 was found to contribute to the predominant catalase activity at the stages of hyphae growth and sclerotial development. SsCat2 transcripts were induced under oxidative stress, and the target deletion of SsCat2 led to significant sensitivity to H2O2, suggesting that SsCat2 is critical in dealing with the oxidative stress. SsCat2-deletion strains were sensitive to hyperosmotic stresses and cell membrane-perturbing agents, suggesting impairment in cell integrity due to the inactivation of SsCat2. The expression of the alternative oxidase-encoding gene was upregulated in the SsCat2-deletion strains, which showed decreased sensitivity to QoI fungicides. SsCat2-deletion strains showed impaired virulence in different hosts, and more H2O2 accumulation was detected during the infect processes. In summary, these results indicate that SsCat2 encodes a catalase that is related to the oxidative stress response, QoI fungicide sensitivity, and pathogenicity of S. sclerotiorum.