Proposed model: how FgAC1 influence numerous physiological functions like vegetative growth, sexual reproduction, DON biosynthesis, conidiation, and pathogenicity in <i>F. graminearum</i>.

<p>The results suggest that, at least on wheat, elevated cAMP levels favour pathogenic development in terms of infection structures and DON biosynthesis, while depletion of cAMP promotes conidiation and filamentous growth. Moreover, cAMP plays a role in the transduction of environmental cues, since sexual reproduction and conidiation phenotypes depend on growth conditions. Cyclic AMP is dispensable for maize infection. Here, other as-yet unknown factors support pathogenicity.