Role of Low-Affinity Calcium System Member Fig1 Homologous Proteins in Conidiation and Trap-Formation of Nematode-trapping Fungus Arthrobotrys oligospora.

Arthrobotrys oligospora is a typical nematode-trapping fungus capturing free-living nematodes by adhesive networks. Component of the low-affinity calcium uptake system (LACS) has been documented to involve in growth and sexual development of filamentous fungi. Bioassay showed incapacity of trap formation in A. oligospora on Water Agar plate containing 1 mM ethylene glycol tetraacetic acid (EGTA) due to Ca absorbing block. The functions of homologous proteins (AoFIG_1 and AoFIG_2) of LACS were examined on conidiation and trap formation of A. oligospora. Compared with wild type, ΔAoFIG_1 (AOL_s00007g566) resulted in 90% of trap reduction, while ΔAoFIG_2 (AOL_s00004g576) reduced vegetative growth rate up to 44% and had no trap and conidia formed. The results suggest that LACS transmembrane protein fig1 homologs play vital roles in the trap-formation and is involved in conidiation and mycelium growth of A. oligospora. Our findings expand fig1 role to include development of complex trap device and conidiation.