Mitochondrial Complex Member <scp>VdNuo1</scp> Recruits Superoxide Dismutases <scp>VdSOD2</scp> /4 to Maintain Superoxide Anion Homeostasis During Pathogenesis in  <i>Verticillium dahliae</i>

During oxidative phosphorylation, the leaked electrons generate superoxide anions to attack the mitochondrial inner membrane and impair mitochondrial activity. Three superoxide dismutases (SODs) are secreted to degrade host superoxide anions in Verticillium dahliae. However, the roles of mitochondrial SODs (mtSODs) in superoxide anion detoxification and in virulence are unknown in this fungus. We had previously shown that complex I VdNuo1 subunit mediates multiple biological functions and mitochondrial morphogenesis in V. dahliae. Here, we demonstrate that among the seven VdSODs of V. dahliae, only VdSOD2 and VdSOD4 were localised in the mitochondria and interact directly with VdNuo1. The VdNuo1 mutants, which exhibited mitochondrial inactivation in response to the superoxide anion inducer menadione, also displayed aberrant VdSODs transcription and SOD activity. VdSOD2 acted as a positive regulator of mitochondrial superoxide anion detoxification, and thus, its overexpression rescued the menadione-sensitive phenotypes of VdNuo1 mutants. In contrast, the increased tolerance of VdSOD2/VdSOD4 double mutants highlights that VdSOD4 negatively affects superoxide anion degradation. Thus, VdSOD2 and VdSOD4 cooperate with VdNuo1 to maintain SOD homeostasis for growth, mitochondrial superoxide anion detoxification, and virulence in V. dahliae. The two active superoxide anion scavengers CgSOD2 and CgSOD4 shared the same localisation and interaction model with CgNuo1 in Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. These results not only demonstrate the roles of mtSODs in V. dahliae and a novel conserved mechanism in which the respiratory chain couples with mtSODs to regulate superoxide anion metabolism in filamentous fungi, but also provide insights for the development of multisite fungicides to control phytopathogenic pathogens.