Mitochondrial dynamics in Pyricularia oryzae during conidiation monitored by fluorescent microscopy

Pyricularia oryzae , which causes blast disease in rice, is a serious fungal pathogen of many cereal crops. Mitochondria have been a promising target to develop antifungal agents. We observed the movement and morphology of mitochondria during conidiation using GFP fused with citrate synthase in Ina 86-137 strain with a slide culture technique. During early conidiation, mitochondria were tubular and later changed to dot shape. This event is also synchronized with septum formation and discontinued movement of mitochondria from the conidiophore. This is the first description of morphology of the conidial mitochondria of P. oryzae from protuberance appearance to young conidia.