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7206780 
Journal Article 
FUBT, a putative MFS transporter, promotes secretion of fusaric acid in the cotton pathogen Fusarium oxysporum f. sp vasinfectum 
Crutcher, FK; Liu, J; Puckhaber, LS; Stipanovic, RD; Bell, AA; Nichols, RL; , 
2015 
1 
Microbiology (Reading, England)
ISSN: 1350-0872
EISSN: 1465-2080 
SOC GENERAL MICROBIOLOGY 
READING 
875-883 
25627440 
WOS:000355366600018 
Fusaric acid (FA) is a key component in virulence and symptom development in cotton during infection by Fusarium oxysporum. A putative major facilitator superfamily (MFS) transporter gene was identified downstream of the polyketide synthase gene responsible for the biosynthesis of FA in a region previously believed to be unrelated to the known FA gene cluster. Disruption of the transporter gene, designated FUBT, resulted in loss of FA secretion, decrease in FA production and a decrease in resistance to high concentrations of FA. Uptake of exogenous FA was unaffected in the disruption transformants, suggesting that FA enters the cell in Fusarium by an independent mechanism. Thus, FUBT is involved both in the extracellular transport of FA and in resistance of F. oxysporum to this non-specific toxin. A potential secondary resistance mechanism, the production of FA derivatives, was observed in FUBT deletion mutants. Molecular analysis of key biochemical processes in the production of FA could lead to future host plant resistance to Fusarium pathogens.