Global characterization of GH3 family glycoside hydrolase genes in and functional analysis of .

To clarify the roles of glycoside hydrolase 3 (GH3) family genes in the growth, development, and pathogenicity of , GH3 family genes were identified in the genome by bioinformatics software, and their expression levels in the infection process of were analyzed using transcriptome data. The gene was knocked out and complemented via genetic transformation to explore the role of . The results demonstrated that a total of 19 GH3 family genes were identified in the genome of , which were located on 11 chromosomes, encoding amino acids ranging from 559 to 1,034, with relative molecular weights between 61.20 and 113.97 kDa, and containing 1-6 exons. Transcriptome data indicated that during the infection of maize kernels by , the expression of nine genes, including , was upregulated at different stages. Knockout of the gene did not impact the mycelial growth rate of but reduced the sporulation ability. Compared with the wild type, the pathogenicity of knockout mutants towards maize grains and stems was weakened. The above results suggest that the glycoside hydrolase gene family participates in the pathogenicity of , and the gene plays a significant role in the conidia production and pathogenicity of .