Genome-Wide Identification and Functional Analysis of the bZIP Transcription Factor Family in Rice Bakanae Disease Pathogen, Fusarium fujikuroi

Fungal basic leucine zipper (bZIP) proteins play a vital role in biological processes such as growth, biotic/abiotic stress responses, nutrient utilization, and invasion. In this study, genome-wide identification of bZIP genes in the fungus Fusarium fujikuroi, the pathogen of bakanae disease, was carried out. Forty-four genes encoding bZIP transcription factors (TFs) from the genome of F. fujikuroi (FfbZIP) were identified and functionally characterized. Structures, domains, and phylogenetic relationships of the sequences were analyzed by bioinformatic approaches. Based on the phylogenetic relationships with the FfbZIP proteins of eight other fungi, the bZIP genes can be divided into six groups (A–F). The additional conserved motifs have been identified and their possible functions were predicted. To analyze functions of the bZIP genes, 11 FfbZIPs were selected according to different motifs they contained and were knocked out by genetic recombination. Results of the characteristic studies revealed that these FfbZIPs were involved in oxygen stress, osmotic stress, cell wall selection pressure, cellulose utilization, cell wall penetration, and pathogenicity. In conclusion, this study enhanced understandings of the evolution and regulatory mechanism of the FfbZIPs in fungal growth, abiotic/biotic stress resistance, and pathogenicity, which could be the reference for other fungal bZIP studies.