The Autophagy-Related Gene Regulates Hyphal Growth, Sporulation, Autophagosome Formation, and Pathogenicity in .

Autophagy plays an important role in cell growth and development. The autophagy-related gene encodes a cysteine protease, which can cleave the carboxyl terminus of Atg8, thus plays a role in autophagosome formation in yeast and filamentous fungi. is well known for producing special trapping-devices (traps) and capturing nematodes. In this study, two Δ mutants were generated using targeted gene replacement and were used to investigate the biological functions of autophagy in . Autophagic process was observed using the AoAtg8-GFP fusion protein. The mutants showed a defective in hyphal growth and sporulation and were sensitive to chemical stressors, including menadione and Congo red. The spore yield of the mutants was decreased by 88.5% compared to the wild type (WT), and the transcript levels of six sporulation-related genes, such as , , , and , were significantly downregulated during the conidiation stage. Deletion of also affected the cell nuclei and mycelial septal development in . Importantly, autophagosome formation and the autophagic process were impaired in the Δ mutant. Moreover, the Δ mutant lost its ability to form mature traps. Our results provide novel insights into the roles of autophagy in .