MEP1 — Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici 4287

Summary

FoMEP1 (FOXG_14607) on chromosome 12 of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici 4287 encodes a metallopeptidase of the M43 family, with metallopeptidase activity and metal binding. It is an apoplastic effector localised to the extracellular space. The gene is associated with proteolysis and with evasion of host pattern recognition receptor recognition. Expression of FoMEP1 has been linked to in vitro conditions and to 2, 4, and 6 days post-inoculation in tomato. Studies of related genes in other species connect the family to reduced virulence and to fusarium wilt disease, and sequence similarity links the family to a cytoplasmic effector role and to the EC 3.4.24.- metalloendopeptidase class.