摘要：SummaryThe nematode-trapping fungi are ideal agents for controlling pathogenic nematodes.Arthrobotrys oligosporais a representative species of the same, producing traps for nematode predation. Here, three orthologous Ras GTPases (Ras2, Ras3, and Rheb) were characterized inA. oligospora. Our results indicate that they play pleiotropic roles in regulating the mycelial growth, conidiation, stress resistance, and pathogenicity ofA. oligospora.Furthermore, deletion ofAoras2andAorhebsignificantly affected the mitochondrial activity, reactive oxygen species levels, lipid storage, and autophagy. Transcriptome analyses of ΔAoras2mutant revealed that many repressed genes were associated with signal transduction, energy production, and carbohydrate transport and metabolism. Moreover, metabolic profile analyses showed that AoRas2 and AoRheb affect the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites inA. oligospora. Collectively, these findings provide an in-depth insight into the essential roles of Ras GTPases in vegetative growth, development, and pathogenicity and highlight their importance in the lifestyle switch of the nematode-trapping fungi.Graphical abstractDisplay OmittedHighlights•Ras GTPases play a multifunctional role in the lifestyle switch ofA. oligospora•Ras GTPases affect multiple cellular processes, including mitochondrial activity•AoRas2 plays a key role in regulating global gene expression and nematode predation•AoRas2 and AoRheb significantly affect the biosynthesis of secondary metabolitesMolecular biology; Mycology; Transcriptomics
