Cytoplasmic dynein1 intermediate-chain2 regulates cellular trafficking and physiopathological development in Magnaporthe oryzae .

The cytoplasmic dynein 1, a minus end-directed motor protein, is an essential microtubule-based molecular motor that mediates the movement of molecules to intracellular destinations in eukaryotes. However, the role of dynein in the pathogenesis of is unknown. Here, we identified cytoplasmic dynein 1 intermediate-chain 2 genes in and functionally characterized it using genetic manipulations, and biochemical approaches. We observed that targeted the deletion of caused significant vegetative growth defects, abolished conidiation, and rendered the Δ strains non-pathogenic. Microscopic examinations revealed significant defects in microtubule network organization, nuclear positioning, and endocytosis Δ strains. MoDync1I2 is localized exclusively to microtubules during fungal developmental stages but co-localizes with the histone OsHis1 in plant nuclei upon infection. The exogenous expression of a histone gene, MoHis1, restored the homeostatic phenotypes of Δ strains but not pathogenicity. These findings could facilitate the development of dynein-directed remedies for managing the rice blast disease.