Transcriptomic and Metabolomic Analyses Elucidate the Regulatory Network in Banana Fruits in Response to Fumonisin during <i>Fusarium proliferatum</i> Infection

The network affected by fumonisin in banana fruit during <i>Fusarium proliferatum</i> infection remains largely elusive. Here, integrative transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses in banana peel after inoculation with fumonisin biosynthesis mutation (<i>ΔFpfum21</i>) and wild-type <i>F. proliferatum</i> strains were employed to investigate fumonisin-mediated regulation. Results showed that defense-related genes and metabolites involved in hormone, transcription factor, reactive oxygen species, and lipid metabolism were disturbed during <i>F. proliferatum</i> infection but recovered in <i>ΔFpfum21</i>-inoculated banana peel, suggesting potential targets by fumonisin. In contrast, <i>ΔFpfum21</i> strain inoculation resulted in downregulation of the triacylglycerol content and <i>CYP450s</i>, <i>patatin-like protein 2</i>, suggesting their potential roles as biomarkers or susceptibility factors in response to fumonisin. Additionally, energy metabolism and ubiquitin-dependent protein degradation pathways were related to the fumonisin-mediated <i>F. proliferatum</i> virulence to banana fruit. This study offered new insights into the molecular dynamics in fumonisin-mediated regulation of banana peel during <i>F. proliferatum</i> infection, causing crown rot.