Impact of Iron Homeostasis on Growth, Development and Pathogenicity of Phytopathogenic Fungi

• 1、Longping Agricultural College, Hunan University
• 2、Institute of Plant Protection, Hunan Academy of Agricultural Sciences

Abstract：Iron is an essential element for the biological activities of phytopathogenic fungi, serving as a vital cofactor for numerous key enzymes involved in physiological processes such as respiratory metabolism, DNA synthesis, and oxidative stress response. The regulation of intracellular iron homeostasis is fundamental for fungal growth, development, and successful host infection. This review provides a systematic summary of regulatory systems governing iron homeostasis in phytopathogenic fungi, including reductive iron assimilation, siderophore-mediated iron uptake, intracellular iron storage and trafficking, and iron-responsive signaling pathways. Furthermore, we highlight the impact of disrupted iron homeostasis on key fungal developmental processes, such as hyphal growth and conidial germination, as well as its role in counteracting host-imposed iron limitation (nutritional immunity), host colonization, and virulence. This review aims to provide a theoretical foundation for the identification of novel fungicide targets and the development of sustainable strategies for the management of plant fungal diseases.

Keywords： Microbiology Phytopathogenic Fungi Iron homeostasis Growth and development Pathogenicity