Hyphal @entity254 is a hallmark of filamentous fungi and plays vital roles including cellular homoeostasis, interhyphal communication and nutrient translocation. Here we identify a gene, FvSO, in @entity18327 , a filamentous ascomycete causing @entity2829 ear and stalk rot and producing @entity20695 mycotoxins. FvSO, like its @entity1980 homologue SO, is required for vegetative hyphal fusion. It is also essential for normal vegetative growth, sporulation, and pathogenesis. FvSO encodes a predicted WW domain protein and shares 70 % protein sequence identity with @entity1980 SO. FvSO deletion mutants (  FvSO) had abnormal distribution of conidia size, and conidia of   FvSO germinated much later and slower than wild type.   FvSO was deficient in hyphal @entity254 , had slower radial growth and produced less fungal biomass than wild type.   FvSO were unable to perform @entity254 , a key feature of filamentous fungi. Interestingly, production of @entity18639 by   FvSO was significantly reduced compared to wild type. Additionally,   FvSO was nonpathogenic to @entity4336 ears, stalks and seedlings, likely due to defective growth and development. In conclusion, FvSO is essential for vegetative hyphal fusion and is required for normal vegetative growth and sporulation, normal levels of @entity20695 production and pathogenicity in @entity18327 . The pleiotropic nature of   FvSO phenotypes suggests that FvSO is likely involved in certain signalling pathways that regulate multiple cellular functions.

FvSO regulates vegetative hyphal fusion, asexual growth, XXXX production, and virulence in @entity18327 .

@entity2829 :: ('4577', 'Species') :: ['maize'] @entity18639 :: ('MESH:C056933', 'Chemical') :: ['fumonisin B1'] @entity254 :: ('MESH:C563598', 'Disease') :: ['anastomosis'] @entity4336 :: ('381124', 'Species') :: ['corn'] @entity1980 :: ('5141', 'Species') :: ['Neurospora crassa', 'N. crassa'] @entity18327 :: ('117187', 'Species') :: ['F. verticillioides', 'Fusarium verticillioides'] @entity20695 :: ('CHEBI:38224', 'Chemical') :: ['fumonisin']
@entity18639 :: (MESH:C056933,Chemical) :: ['fumonisin B1']
