The Slt2-Swi6 signaling pathway plays a pivotal role in regulating cell wall biosynthesis, secondary metabolite production, and the pathogenicity of pear fungal A. alternata.

Disruption of AaSwi6 and AaMbp1 reduces toxin production by over 80% and impairs virulence in A. alternata, highlighting their key role in pathogenicity.

• Why it matters: Understanding the molecular mechanisms behind fungal virulence and cell wall synthesis is essential for developing effective disease control strategies, especially for postharvest crop protection.
• What they did: The study used targeted gene deletion of AaSwi6 and AaMbp1, combined with biochemical, genetic, and protein interaction analyses, to uncover their roles in growth, toxin production, and cell wall composition.
• The result: Findings reveal that AaSwi6 and AaMbp1 are crucial for cell wall integrity and toxin biosynthesis, providing potential targets for controlling A. alternata infections and reducing crop losses.