The Dark Side of Fusarium Head Blight: How They Cause Infection
A special issue of Toxins (ISSN 2072-6651). This special issue belongs to the section "Mycotoxins".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 March 2026 | Viewed by 31
Special Issue Editor
Interests: Fusarium; mycotoxins; virulence; fungal disease control; mycotoxin control
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Fusarium head blight (FHB), primarily caused by members of the Fusarium sambucinum species complex (FSAMSC), is a devastating disease affecting wheat, barley, and other grain crops worldwide. During pathogenesis, FSAMSC species deploy a chemical arsenal including trichothecenes—among the most hazardous mycotoxins to food safety and human health. Certain metabolites act as virulence factors, serving as molecular weapons that enable Fusarium infection. For example, the type B trichothecene deoxynivalenol (DON) serves as a phytotoxic non-proteinaceous effector facilitating F. graminearum colonization and disease development in wheat heads, while a linear nonribosomal octapeptid promotes intercellular invasion. However, the biological functions, modes of action, and host interactions of most metabolites remain undetermined.
Recent methodological breakthroughs in bioanalytics, biotechnology, and bioassays now enable researchers to address these critical gaps. This Special Issue aims to compile excellent contributions elucidating the virulence factors driving Fusarium pathogenesis. We welcome experimental studies and reviews leveraging genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and other advanced technologies to (i) identify novel virulence metabolites from Fusarium or its ecological niche; (ii) decipher their molecular mechanisms during host interactions; (iii) characterize structural dependencies and modification effects. Priority will be given to studies exploring virulence factors as molecular weapons—from discovery to functional validation.
Dr. Xin Liu
Guest Editor
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Keywords
- Fusarium head blight
- toxin
- metabolite
- virulence factor
- host–pathogen interaction
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