Foatf1, a bZIP transcription factor of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense, is involved in pathogenesis by regulating the oxidative stress responses of Cavendish banana (Musa spp.)

• Foatf1 deletion exhibited higher sensitivity to H2O2 than the wild-type and complement strain.
• Foatf1 deletion could cause the oxidative burst in the roots cells of banana seedling.
• Foatf1 deletion could reduce the transcription level of catalases.
• The Foatf1 deletion mutant showed significantly reduced activity of extracellular enzymes of catalases.
• The Foatf1 deletion mutant exhibited remarkably reduced virulence on Cavendish banana (Musa spp.).

We characterized Foatf1, a basic leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factor in Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense race 4 (Foc4), and created a deletion mutant of Foatf1. Foatf1 deletion mutant could cause oxidative burst of banana seedlings in early stages of infection. This mutant also showed higher sensitivity to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) than the wild-type strain. Foatf1 significantly reduced the activity of extracellular enzymes and the transcription level of catalase. Furthermore, Foatf1 exhibited remarkably reduced virulence on Cavendish banana (Musa spp.). These findings indicated that Foatf1 could be necessary to induce the full virulence of Foc4 by regulating the transcription of catalase to impair plant defenses mediated by reactive oxygen species.