Critical role of AaTgl1 lipase/hydrolase in virulence and lesion formation in Alternaria alternata.

Targeted deletion of AaTgl1 in Alternaria alternata (ΔAaTgl1) markedly attenuates virulence on calamondin leaves and disrupts development, lipid storage, and stress responses.

• Why it matters: Lipase/hydrolase functions in Alternaria alternata virulence are poorly understood, limiting mechanistic links between lipid metabolism, host defense evasion, and pathogenic fitness.
• What they did: The authors characterized AaTgl1’s lipase/hydrolase domains and catalytic triad (Ser353, Asp522, His548), then created ΔAaTgl1 mutants and performed complementation, lipid droplet staining, ROS/oxidative stress assays, and virulence tests on calamondin leaves.
• The result: ΔAaTgl1 is indispensable for lipid storage and mobilization, shows elevated reactive oxygen species and oxidative stress sensitivity with increased cell wall damage, and is dispensable for toxin biosynthesis but linked to reduced virulence.

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