Quantitative Proteomics Analysis Reveals the Function of the Putative Ester Cyclase UvEC1 in the Pathogenicity of the Rice False Smut Fungus Ustilaginoidea virens

Rice false smut is a fungal disease distributed worldwide and caused by . In this study, we identified a putative ester cyclase (named as UvEC1) as being significantly upregulated during infection. UvEC1 contained a SnoaL-like polyketide cyclase domain, but the functions of ketone cyclases such as SnoaL in plant fungal pathogens remain unclear. Deletion of caused defects in vegetative growth and conidiation. was also required for response to hyperosmotic and oxidative stresses and for maintenance of cell wall integrity. Importantly, Δ mutants exhibited reduced virulence. We performed a tandem mass tag (TMT)-based quantitative proteomic analysis to identify differentially accumulating proteins (DAPs) between the Δ mutant and the wild-type isolate HWD-2. Proteomics data revealed that UvEC1 has a variety of effects on metabolism, protein localization, catalytic activity, binding, toxin biosynthesis and the spliceosome. Taken together, our findings suggest that is critical for the development and virulence of .