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Sánchez-Rey LE, Moreno-Sarmiento N, Grijalba-Bernal EP, Quiroga-Cubides G. Physiological response of Metarhizium rileyi with linoleic acid supplementation. Fungal Biol 2024; 128:1827-1835. [PMID: 38876535 DOI: 10.1016/j.funbio.2024.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024]
Abstract
Metarhizium rileyi has a broad biocontrol spectrum but is highly sensitive to abiotic factors. A Colombian isolate M. rileyi Nm017 has shown notorious potential against Helicoverpa zea. However, it has a loss of up to 22 % of its conidial germination after drying, which limits its potential as a biocontrol agent and further commercialization. Conidial desiccation resistance can be enhanced by nutritional supplements, which promotes field adaptability and facilitates technological development as a biopesticide. In this study, the effect of culture medium supplemented with linoleic acid on desiccation tolerance in Nm017 conidia was evaluated. Results showed that using a 2 % linoleic acid-supplemented medium increased the relative germination after drying by 41 % compared to the control treatment, without affecting insecticidal activity on H. zea. Also, the fungus increased the synthesis of trehalose, glucose, and erythritol during drying, independently of linoleic acid use. Ultrastructural analyses of the cell wall-membrane showed a loss of thickness by 22 % and 25 %, in samples obtained from 2 % linoleic acid supplementation and the control, respectively. Regarding its morphological characteristics, conidia inner area from both treatments did not change after drying. However, conidia from the control had a 24 % decrease in length/width ratio, whereas there was no alteration in conidia from acid linoleic. The average value of dry conidia elasticity coefficient from linoleic acid treatment was 200 % above the control. Medium supplementation with linoleic acid is a promising fermentation strategy for obtaining more tolerant conidia without affecting production and biocontrol parameters, compatible solutes synthesis, or modifying its cell configuration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leidy Esther Sánchez-Rey
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Carrera 45 #26-85 Edificio Manuel Ancizar, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Nubia Moreno-Sarmiento
- Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Carrera 45 #26-85 Edificio Manuel Ancizar, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Erika Paola Grijalba-Bernal
- Departamento de Bioproductos, Corporación Colombiana de Investigación Agropecuaria - Agrosavia, Centro de Investigación Tibaitatá, kilómetro 14 vía Mosquera-Bogotá, Cundinamarca, Colombia
| | - Ginna Quiroga-Cubides
- Departamento de Bioproductos, Corporación Colombiana de Investigación Agropecuaria - Agrosavia, Centro de Investigación Tibaitatá, kilómetro 14 vía Mosquera-Bogotá, Cundinamarca, Colombia.
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Sare I, Baldini F, Viana M, Badolo A, Djigma F, Diabate A, Bilgo E. Adhesion and virulence properties of native Metarhizium fungal strains from Burkina Faso for the control of malaria vectors. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:406. [PMID: 37936204 PMCID: PMC10629044 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05831-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Local strains of the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium pingshaense in Burkina Faso have demonstrated remarkable virulence against malaria vectors, positioning them as promising candidates for inclusion in the future arsenal of malaria control strategies. However, the underlying mechanisms responsible for this virulence remain unknown. To comprehend the fungal infection process, it is crucial to investigate the attachment mechanisms of fungal spores to the mosquito cuticle and explore the relationship between virulence and attachment kinetics. This study aims to assess the adhesion and virulence properties of native Metarhizium fungal strains from Burkina Faso for controlling malaria vectors. METHODS Fungal strains were isolated from 201 insects and 1399 rhizosphere samples, and four strains of Metarhizium fungi were selected. Fungal suspensions were used to infect 3-day-old female Anopheles coluzzii mosquitoes at three different concentrations (106, 107, 108 conidia/ml). The survival of the mosquitoes was measured over 14 days, and fungal growth was quantified after 1 and 24 h to assess adhesion of the fungal strains onto the mosquito cuticle. RESULTS All four fungi strains increased mosquito mortality compared to control (Chi-square test, χ2 = 286.55, df = 4, P < 0.001). Adhesion of the fungal strains was observed on the mosquito cuticle after 24 h at high concentrations (1 × 108 conidia/ml), with one strain, having the highest virulent, showing adhesion after just 1 h. CONCLUSION The native strains of Metarhizium spp. fungi found in Burkina Faso have the potential to be effective biocontrol agents against malaria vectors, with some strains showing high levels of both virulence and adhesion to the mosquito cuticle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Issiaka Sare
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé, Direction Régionale de l'Ouest, BP 545, Bobo-Dioulasso 01, Burkina Faso
- Institut National de Santé Publique / Centre Muraz, BP 390, Bobo-Dioulasso 01, Burkina Faso
- Laboratoire d'Entomologie Fondamentale et Appliquée (LEFA), Université Joseph Ki-Zerbo, BP 7021, Ouagadougou 03, Burkina Faso
- Laboratoire de Biologie Moléculaire et de Génétique (LABIOGENE), Ecole Doctorale Sciences et Technologie, Université Joseph Ki-Zerbo, BP 7021, Ouagadougou 01, Burkina Faso
- Centre de Recherche Biomoléculaire Piétro Annigoni (CERBA), BP 364, Ouagadougou 01, Burkina Faso
| | - Francesco Baldini
- School of Biodiversity One Health and Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Mafalda Viana
- School of Biodiversity One Health and Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Athanase Badolo
- Laboratoire d'Entomologie Fondamentale et Appliquée (LEFA), Université Joseph Ki-Zerbo, BP 7021, Ouagadougou 03, Burkina Faso
| | - Florencia Djigma
- Laboratoire de Biologie Moléculaire et de Génétique (LABIOGENE), Ecole Doctorale Sciences et Technologie, Université Joseph Ki-Zerbo, BP 7021, Ouagadougou 01, Burkina Faso
- Centre de Recherche Biomoléculaire Piétro Annigoni (CERBA), BP 364, Ouagadougou 01, Burkina Faso
| | - Abdoulaye Diabate
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé, Direction Régionale de l'Ouest, BP 545, Bobo-Dioulasso 01, Burkina Faso.
- Institut National de Santé Publique / Centre Muraz, BP 390, Bobo-Dioulasso 01, Burkina Faso.
| | - Etienne Bilgo
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé, Direction Régionale de l'Ouest, BP 545, Bobo-Dioulasso 01, Burkina Faso.
- Institut National de Santé Publique / Centre Muraz, BP 390, Bobo-Dioulasso 01, Burkina Faso.
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Mao X, Xing D, Liu D, Xu H, Hou L, Lin P, Xia Q, Lin Y, Shen G. Ecdysteroid UDP-Glucosyltransferase Expression in Beauveria bassiana Increases Its Pathogenicity against Early Instar Silkworm Larvae. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:987. [PMID: 37888243 PMCID: PMC10607489 DOI: 10.3390/jof9100987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Beauveria bassiana (B. bassiana) is a broad-spectrum entomopathogenic fungus that can control pests in agriculture and forestry. In this study, encoding ecdysteroid uridine diphosphate glucosyltransferase gene (egt) was successfully screened in B. bassiana on the medium containing 500μg/mL G418 sulfate solution through the protoplast transformation method. This enzyme has the function of 20E (20-hydroxyecdysone) inactivation, thus increasing the mortality of the early instar larvae infected with B. bassiana. In this study, we transformed B. bassiana with the egt gene, which deactivates 20-hydroxyecdysone, a key hormone in insect development. The results showed that transgenic B. bassiana killed more silkworms of the 2nd instar larvae than the wild-type with a shorter LT50 time, which was reduced by approximately 20% (day 1 of the 2nd instar silkworm infection of B. bassiana) and 26.4% (day 2 of the 2nd instar silkworm infection of B. bassiana) compared to the wild-type, and also showed a higher mortality number before molting. The transgenic B. bassiana had a higher coverage of the body surface of silkworms compared to the wild type on the 3rd instar. In summary, improving entomopathogenic fungi using biological methods such as genetic engineering is feasible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueqin Mao
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (Chongqing) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China
| | - Dongxu Xing
- Sericultural & Agri-Food Research Institute Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, /Key Laboratory of Functional Foods, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Agricultural Products Processing, Guangzhou 510610, China
| | - Die Liu
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (Chongqing) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China
| | - Haoran Xu
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (Chongqing) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China
| | - Luyu Hou
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (Chongqing) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China
| | - Ping Lin
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (Chongqing) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China
| | - Qingyou Xia
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (Chongqing) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China
| | - Ying Lin
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (Chongqing) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China
| | - Guanwang Shen
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (Chongqing) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China
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Zhang BX, Liu FF, Liu F, Sun YX, Rao XJ. Dual RNA Sequencing of Beauveria bassiana-Infected Spodoptera frugiperda Reveals a Fungal Protease with Entomopathogenic and Antiphytopathogenic Activities. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2023; 71:12757-12774. [PMID: 37602431 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.3c02356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
Insect pests and phytopathogens significantly impact crop yield and quality. The fall armyworm (FAW) Spodoptera frugiperda and the phytopathogen Fusarium graminearum cause substantial economic losses in crops like barley and wheat. However, the entomopathogen Beauveria bassiana shows limited efficacy against FAW, and its antiphytopathogenic activities against F. graminearum remain unclear. Here, dual RNA sequencing was performed to identify differentially expressed genes in B. bassiana-infected FAW larvae. We found that the BbAorsin gene was significantly upregulated at 36 and 48 h post-infection. BbAorsin encodes a serine-carboxyl protease and is mainly expressed in blastospores and hyphae. Overexpression of BbAorsin in B. bassiana ARSEF2860 enhanced virulence against Galleria mellonella and FAW larvae and inhibited F. graminearum growth. The recombinant BbAorsin protein induced apoptosis and necrosis in FAW hemocytes and inhibited F. graminearum spore germination. These findings shed light on transcriptomic mechanisms governing insect-pathogen interactions, which could aid in developing dual-functional entomopathogens and anti-phytopathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bang-Xian Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Sustainable Management of Plant Diseases and Pests of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops, Hefei 230036, China
- Department of Scientific Research, Chuzhou University, Chuzhou 239000, China
| | - Fang-Fang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Sustainable Management of Plant Diseases and Pests of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Feng Liu
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Sustainable Management of Plant Diseases and Pests of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Yan-Xia Sun
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Sustainable Management of Plant Diseases and Pests of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Xiang-Jun Rao
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Sustainable Management of Plant Diseases and Pests of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops, Hefei 230036, China
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Lu HZ, Sui Y, Lobo NF, Fouque F, Gao C, Lu S, Lv S, Deng SQ, Wang DQ. Challenge and opportunity for vector control strategies on key mosquito-borne diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1207293. [PMID: 37554733 PMCID: PMC10405932 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1207293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Mosquito-borne diseases are major global health problems that threaten nearly half of the world's population. Conflicting resources and infrastructure required by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) global pandemic have resulted in the vector control process being more demanding than ever. Although novel vector control paradigms may have been more applicable and efficacious in these challenging settings, there were virtually no reports of novel strategies being developed or implemented during COVID-19 pandemic. Evidence shows that the COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically impacted the implementation of conventional mosquito vector measures. Varying degrees of disruptions in malaria control and insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) and indoor residual spray (IRS) distributions worldwide from 2020 to 2021 were reported. Control measures such as mosquito net distribution and community education were significantly reduced in sub-Saharan countries. The COVID-19 pandemic has provided an opportunity for innovative vector control technologies currently being developed. Releasing sterile or lethal gene-carrying male mosquitoes and novel biopesticides may have advantages that are not matched by traditional vector measures in the current context. Here, we review the effects of COVID-19 pandemic on current vector control measures from 2020 to 2021 and discuss the future direction of vector control, taking into account probable evolving conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Zheng Lu
- Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Shanghai, China
- Department of Pathogen Biology, the Key Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology of Anhui Province, the Key Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions in Anhui, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Yuan Sui
- Brown School, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Neil F. Lobo
- Malaria Elimination Initiative, Institute for Global Health Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Eck Institute for Global Health, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, United States
| | - Florence Fouque
- Research for Implementation Unit, The Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Chen Gao
- Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Shanghai, China
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Shenning Lu
- Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Shanghai, China
- Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research, Shanghai, China
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases, Shanghai, China
- National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Health, Shanghai, China
| | - Shan Lv
- Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Shanghai, China
- Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research, Shanghai, China
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases, Shanghai, China
- National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Health, Shanghai, China
- School of Global Health, Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Sheng-Qun Deng
- Department of Pathogen Biology, the Key Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology of Anhui Province, the Key Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions in Anhui, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Duo-Quan Wang
- Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Shanghai, China
- Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research, Shanghai, China
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases, Shanghai, China
- National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Health, Shanghai, China
- School of Global Health, Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Couceiro JDC, De Fine Licht HH, Delalibera I, Meyling NV. Comparative gene expression and genomics reflect geographical divergence in the plant symbiotic and entomopathogenic fungal genus Metarhizium. FUNGAL ECOL 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.funeco.2022.101190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Hummadi EH, Cetin Y, Demirbek M, Kardar NM, Khan S, Coates CJ, Eastwood DC, Dudley E, Maffeis T, Loveridge J, Butt TM. Antimicrobial Volatiles of the Insect Pathogen Metarhizium brunneum. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8040326. [PMID: 35448558 PMCID: PMC9025432 DOI: 10.3390/jof8040326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Revised: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Fungal volatile organic compounds (VOCs) represent promising candidates for biopesticide fumigants to control crop pests and pathogens. Herein, VOCs produced using three strains of the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium brunneum were identified via GC-MS and screened for antimicrobial activity. The VOC profiles varied with fungal strain, development state (mycelium, spores) and culture conditions. Selected VOCs were screened against a range of rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere microbes, including three Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Pantoea agglomerans, Pseudomonas aeruginosa), five Gram-positive bacteria (Micrococcus luteus, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, B. megaterium, B. thuringiensis), two yeasts (Candida albicans, Candida glabrata) and three plant pathogenic fungi (Pythium ultimum, Botrytis cinerea, Fusarium graminearum). Microbes differed in their sensitivity to the test compounds, with 1-octen-3-ol and isovaleric acid showing broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. Yeasts and bacteria were inhibited by the same VOCs. Cryo-SEM showed that both yeasts and bacteria underwent some form of “autolysis”, where all components of the cell, including the cell wall, disintegrated with little evidence of their presence in the clear, inhibition zone. The oomycete (P. ultimum) and ascomycete fungi (F. graminearum, B. cinerea) were sensitive to a wider range of VOCs than the bacteria, suggesting that eukaryotic microbes are the main competitors to M. brunneum in the rhizosphere. The ability to alter the VOC profile in response to nutritional cues may assist M. brunneum to survive among the roots of a wide range of plant species. Our VOC studies provided new insights as to how M. brunneum may protect plants from pathogenic microbes and correspondingly promote healthy growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esam Hamid Hummadi
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, Wales, UK; (Y.C.); (M.D.); (N.M.K.); (S.K.); (C.J.C.); (D.C.E.); (T.M.); (J.L.)
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Science, University of Diyala, Baqubah City 32001, Iraq
- Correspondence: (E.H.H.); (T.M.B.)
| | - Yarkin Cetin
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, Wales, UK; (Y.C.); (M.D.); (N.M.K.); (S.K.); (C.J.C.); (D.C.E.); (T.M.); (J.L.)
| | - Merve Demirbek
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, Wales, UK; (Y.C.); (M.D.); (N.M.K.); (S.K.); (C.J.C.); (D.C.E.); (T.M.); (J.L.)
| | - Nadeems M. Kardar
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, Wales, UK; (Y.C.); (M.D.); (N.M.K.); (S.K.); (C.J.C.); (D.C.E.); (T.M.); (J.L.)
| | - Shazia Khan
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, Wales, UK; (Y.C.); (M.D.); (N.M.K.); (S.K.); (C.J.C.); (D.C.E.); (T.M.); (J.L.)
| | - Christopher J. Coates
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, Wales, UK; (Y.C.); (M.D.); (N.M.K.); (S.K.); (C.J.C.); (D.C.E.); (T.M.); (J.L.)
| | - Daniel C. Eastwood
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, Wales, UK; (Y.C.); (M.D.); (N.M.K.); (S.K.); (C.J.C.); (D.C.E.); (T.M.); (J.L.)
| | - Ed Dudley
- Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Science, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, Wales, UK;
| | - Thierry Maffeis
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, Wales, UK; (Y.C.); (M.D.); (N.M.K.); (S.K.); (C.J.C.); (D.C.E.); (T.M.); (J.L.)
| | - Joel Loveridge
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, Wales, UK; (Y.C.); (M.D.); (N.M.K.); (S.K.); (C.J.C.); (D.C.E.); (T.M.); (J.L.)
| | - Tariq M. Butt
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, Wales, UK; (Y.C.); (M.D.); (N.M.K.); (S.K.); (C.J.C.); (D.C.E.); (T.M.); (J.L.)
- Correspondence: (E.H.H.); (T.M.B.)
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Dwivedi SA, Tomer A. Application of Mycobiocontrol Agent in Biodergradation and Pest Management. Fungal Biol 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-54422-5_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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St. Leger RJ, Wang JB. Metarhizium: jack of all trades, master of many. Open Biol 2020; 10:200307. [PMID: 33292103 PMCID: PMC7776561 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.200307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The genus Metarhizium and Pochonia chlamydosporia comprise a monophyletic clade of highly abundant globally distributed fungi that can transition between long-term beneficial associations with plants to transitory pathogenic associations with frequently encountered protozoans, nematodes or insects. Some very common 'specialist generalist' species are adapted to particular soil and plant ecologies, but can overpower a wide spectrum of insects with numerous enzymes and toxins that result from extensive gene duplications made possible by loss of meiosis and associated genome defence mechanisms. These species use parasexuality instead of sex to combine beneficial mutations from separate clonal individuals into one genome (Vicar of Bray dynamics). More weakly endophytic species which kill a narrow range of insects retain sexuality to facilitate host-pathogen coevolution (Red Queen dynamics). Metarhizium species can fit into numerous environments because they are very flexible at the genetic, physiological and ecological levels, providing tractable models to address how new mechanisms for econutritional heterogeneity, host switching and virulence are acquired and relate to diverse sexual life histories and speciation. Many new molecules and functions have been discovered that underpin Metarhizium associations, and have furthered our understanding of the crucial ecology of these fungi in multiple habitats.
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The multifunctional lifestyles of Metarhizium: evolution and applications. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2020; 104:9935-9945. [PMID: 33085023 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-020-10968-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Revised: 10/10/2020] [Accepted: 10/18/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The genus Metarhizium is comprised of a diverse group of common soil fungi that exhibit multifunctional lifestyles with varying degrees of saprotrophic, endophytic, and insect pathogenic modes of nutrient acquisition. The transcriptome of these species is modulated to reflect immediate needs of the fungus and availability of resources-a form of transcriptional plasticity that allows for physiological adaptation to environments with diverse and dynamic exploitable nutrient sources. In this review, we discuss the endophytic, insect pathogenic lifestyles of Metarhizium spp., including their symbiotic interface, origins, and evolution, and agricultural applications. Isotope labeling experiments have demonstrated that a mutually beneficial exchange of limiting nutrients occurs between the fungus and its host plant, with nitrogen derived via insect pathogenesis being translocated from Metarhizium to host plants in exchange for fixed carbon in the form of photosynthate. Thus, the endophytic and entomopathogenic abilities of Metarhizium spp. are not exclusive of one another, but rather are interdependent and reciprocal in nature. Although endophytic, insect pathogenic fungi (EIPF) could certainly have evolved from insect pathogenic fungi, phylogenomic evidence indicates that this genus is more closely related to plant-associated fungi than animal pathogens, suggesting that Metarhizium evolved from a lineage of plant symbionts, which subsequently acquired genes for insect pathogenesis. Entomopathogenicity may have been an adaptive trait, allowing for procurement of insect-derived nitrogen that could be translocated to host plants and bartered for fixed carbon, thereby improving the stability of fungal-plant symbioses. Given their ability to simultaneously parasitize soil insects, including a number of pests of agriculturally important crops, as well as promote plant health, growth, and productivity, Metarhizium spp. are considered promising alternatives to the chemical pesticides and fertilizers that have wreaked havoc on the health and integrity of ecosystems. KEY POINTS: • Metarhizium is a fungus that is an insect pathogen as well as a plant symbiont. • The genus Metarhizium has specialist and generalist insect pathogens. • Metarhizium is phylogenetically most closely related to plant endophytes.
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The Intermediates in Branched-Chain Amino Acid Biosynthesis Are Indispensable for Conidial Germination of the Insect-Pathogenic Fungus Metarhizium robertsii. Appl Environ Microbiol 2020; 86:AEM.01682-20. [PMID: 32769188 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01682-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Metarhizium spp. are well-known biocontrol agents used worldwide to control different insect pests. Keto-acid reductoisomerase (ILVC) is a key enzyme for branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) biosynthesis, and it regulates many physiological activities. However, its functions in insect-pathogenic fungi are poorly understood. In this work, we identified MrilvC in M. robertsii and dissected its roles in fungal growth, conidiation, germination, destruxin biosynthesis, environmental stress response, and insecticidal virulence. BCAA metabolism affects conidial yields and germination. However, BCAAs cannot recover the conidial germination of an MrilvC-deficient strain. Further feeding assays with intermediates showed that some conidia of the ΔMrilvC mutant start to germinate. Therefore, it is the germination defect that causes the complete failures of conidial penetration and pathogenicity in the ΔMrilvC mutant. In conclusion, we found intermediates in BCAA biosynthesis are indispensable for Metarhizium robertsii conidial germination. This study will advance our understanding of the fungal germination mechanism.IMPORTANCE Branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) metabolism plays a significant role in many biological activities beyond protein synthesis. Spore germination initiates the first stage of vegetative growth, which is critical for the virulence of pathogenic fungi. In this study, we demonstrated that the keto-acid reductoisomerase MrILVC, a key enzyme for BCAA biosynthesis, from the insect-pathogenic fungus Metarhizium robertsii is associated with conidial germination and fungal pathogenicity. Surprisingly, the germination of the ΔMrilvC mutant was restored when supplemented with the intermediates of BCAA metabolism rather than three BCAAs. The result was significantly different from that of plant-pathogenic fungi. Therefore, this report highlights that the intermediates in BCAA biosynthesis are indispensable for conidial germination of M. robertsii.
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Iwanicki NS, Júnior ID, Eilenberg J, De Fine Licht HH. Comparative RNAseq Analysis of the Insect-Pathogenic Fungus Metarhizium anisopliae Reveals Specific Transcriptome Signatures of Filamentous and Yeast-Like Development. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2020; 10:2141-2157. [PMID: 32354703 PMCID: PMC7341153 DOI: 10.1534/g3.120.401040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The fungus Metarhizium anisopliae is a facultative insect pathogen used as biological control agent of several agricultural pests worldwide. It is a dimorphic fungus that is able to display two growth morphologies, a filamentous phase with formation of hyphae and a yeast-like phase with formation of single-celled blastospores. Blastospores play an important role for M. anisopliae pathogenicity during disease development. They are formed solely in the hemolymph of infected insects as a fungal strategy to quickly multiply and colonize the insect's body. Here, we use comparative genome-wide transcriptome analyses to determine changes in gene expression between the filamentous and blastospore growth phases in vitro to characterize physiological changes and metabolic signatures associated with M. anisopliae dimorphism. Our results show a clear molecular distinction between the blastospore and mycelial phases. In total 6.4% (n = 696) out of 10,981 predicted genes in M. anisopliae were differentially expressed between the two phases with a fold-change > 4. The main physiological processes associated with up-regulated gene content in the single-celled yeast-like blastospores during liquid fermentation were oxidative stress, amino acid metabolism (catabolism and anabolism), respiration processes, transmembrane transport and production of secondary metabolites. In contrast, the up-regulated gene content in hyphae were associated with increased growth, metabolism and cell wall re-organization, which underlines the specific functions and altered growth morphology of M. anisopliae blastospores and hyphae, respectively. Our study revealed significant transcriptomic differences between the metabolism of blastospores and hyphae. These findings illustrate important aspects of fungal morphogenesis in M. anisopliae and highlight the main metabolic activities of each propagule under in vitro growth conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha Sant'Anna Iwanicki
- Department of Entomology and Acarology, ESALQ- University of São Paulo, Av Padua Dias, 11-P.O. Box 9-13418-900, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil and
| | - Italo Delalibera Júnior
- Department of Entomology and Acarology, ESALQ- University of São Paulo, Av Padua Dias, 11-P.O. Box 9-13418-900, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil and
| | - Jørgen Eilenberg
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, 1871 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Henrik H De Fine Licht
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, 1871 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
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Lai Y, Cao X, Chen J, Wang L, Wei G, Wang S. Coordinated regulation of infection-related morphogenesis by the KMT2-Cre1-Hyd4 regulatory pathway to facilitate fungal infection. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2020; 6:eaaz1659. [PMID: 32232158 PMCID: PMC7096160 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aaz1659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2019] [Accepted: 01/02/2020] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Entomopathogenic fungi can overcome insecticide resistance and represent promising tools for the control of mosquitoes. Better understanding of fungus-mosquito interactions is critical for improvement of fungal efficacy. Upon insect cuticle induction, pathogenic fungi undergo marked infection-related morphological differentiation. However, regulatory mechanisms of fungal infection-related morphogenesis are poorly understood. Here, we show that a histone lysine methyltransferase KMT2 in Metarhizium robertsii (MrKMT2) is up-regulated upon cuticle induction. MrKMT2 plays crucial roles in regulating infection-related morphogenesis and pathogenicity by up-regulating the transcription factor gene Mrcre1 via H3K4 trimethylation during mosquito cuticle infection. MrCre1 further regulates the cuticle-induced gene Mrhyd4 to modulate infection structure (appressorium) formation and virulence. Overall, the MrKMT2-MrCre1-MrHyd4 regulatory pathway regulates infection-related morphogenesis and pathogenicity in M. robertsii. These findings reveal that the epigenetic regulatory mechanism plays a pivotal role in regulating fungal pathogenesis in insects, and provide new insights into molecular interactions between pathogenic fungi and insect hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiling Lai
- CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xuan Cao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, CAS-MPG Partner Institute for Computational Biology, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Jingjing Chen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Lili Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Gang Wei
- CAS Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, CAS-MPG Partner Institute for Computational Biology, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Sibao Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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Semenova TA, Dunaevsky YE, Beljakova GA, Belozersky MA. Extracellular peptidases of insect-associated fungi and their possible use in biological control programs and as pathogenicity markers. Fungal Biol 2020; 124:65-72. [PMID: 31892378 DOI: 10.1016/j.funbio.2019.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2019] [Revised: 11/08/2019] [Accepted: 11/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
This review deals with characteristics of peptidases of fungi whose life cycles are associated with insects to varying degrees. The review examines the characteristic features of the extracellular peptidases of entomopathogenic fungi, the dependence of the specificity of these peptidases on the ecological characteristics of the fungi, and the role of peptidases in the development of the pathogenesis. Data on the properties and physiological role of hydrolytic enzymes of symbiotic fungi in "fungal gardens" are also considered in detail. For the development of representations about mechanisms of control over populations of insect pests, special attention is given to analysis of possibilities of genetic engineering for the creation of entomopathogens with enhanced virulence. Clarification of the role of fungi and their secreted enzymes and careful environmental studies are still required to explain their significance in the composition of the biota and to ensure widespread adoption of these organisms as effective biological control agents. The systematization and comparative analysis of the existing data on extracellular peptidases of insect-associated fungi will help in the planning of further work and the search for markers of pathogenesis and symbiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yakov E Dunaevsky
- A. N. Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia.
| | | | - Mikhail A Belozersky
- A. N. Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
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15
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Lack of involvement of chitinase in direct toxicity of Beauveria bassiana cultures to the aphid Myzus persicae. J Invertebr Pathol 2019; 169:107276. [PMID: 31715183 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2019.107276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2019] [Revised: 10/28/2019] [Accepted: 11/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The fungal insect pathogen Beauveria bassiana produces a range of insecticidal metabolites and enzymes, including chitinases and proteases, which may assist the disease progression. The enzymes often play a predominant role in the pathogenicity pathway and both chitinases and proteases have previously been shown to be important in host infection. Spray application of supernatants of B. bassiana broth cultures of an isolate from New Zealand caused significant mortality in the green peach aphid, Myzus persicae, within 24 h, demonstrating an apparent contact toxicity. Three-day-old broth cultures were the most effective, with less insect mortality seen using six-day-old broth. However, aphicidal activity increased again when treating aphids with seven-day-old broth. Cultures grew substantially better and produced more potent aphicidal cultures when cultured in media with an initial pH above 5.5. Chitinase was produced a day earlier than the serine protease Pr1, but the peak production periods of these enzymes did not correlate with the aphicidal activities of three- or six-day-old cultures. Cultures treated with EDTA or heated to inactivate the enzymes still showed strong insecticidal activity. Neither beauvericin nor bassianolide, two known insecticidal metabolites, were detected in the supernatants. Therefore the key aphicidal components of B. bassiana cultures were not associated with chitinase nor Pr1 and are yet to be identified.
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16
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Moonjely S, Zhang X, Fang W, Bidochka MJ. Metarhizium robertsii ammonium permeases (MepC and Mep2) contribute to rhizoplane colonization and modulates the transfer of insect derived nitrogen to plants. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0223718. [PMID: 31618269 PMCID: PMC6795453 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0223718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2019] [Accepted: 09/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The endophytic insect pathogenic fungi (EIPF) Metarhizium promotes plant growth through symbiotic association and the transfer of insect-derived nitrogen. However, little is known about the genes involved in this association and the transfer of nitrogen. In this study, we assessed the involvement of six Metarhizium robertsii genes in endophytic, rhizoplane and rhizospheric colonization with barley roots. Two ammonium permeases (MepC and Mep2) and a urease, were selected since homologous genes in arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi were reported to play a pivotal role in nitrogen mobilization during plant root colonization. Three other genes were selected on the basis on RNA-Seq data that showed high expression levels on bean roots, and these encoded a hydrophobin (Hyd3), a subtilisin-like serine protease (Pr1A) and a hypothetical protein. The root colonization assays revealed that the deletion of urease, hydrophobin, subtilisin-like serine protease and hypothetical protein genes had no impact on endophytic, rhizoplane and rhizospheric colonization at 10 or 20 days. However, the deletion of MepC resulted in significantly increased rhizoplane colonization at 10 days whereas ΔMep2 showed increased rhizoplane colonization at 20 days. In addition, the nitrogen transporter mutants also showed significantly higher 15N incorporation of insect derived nitrogen in barley leaves in the presence of nutrients. Insect pathogenesis assay revealed that disruption of MepC, Mep2, urease did not reduce virulence toward insects. The enhanced rhizoplane colonization of ΔMep2 and ΔMepC and insect derived nitrogen transfer to plant hosts suggests the role of MepC and Mep2 in Metarhizium-plant symbiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soumya Moonjely
- Department of Biological Sciences, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON Canada
| | - Xing Zhang
- Institute of Microbiology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Weiguo Fang
- Institute of Microbiology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Michael J. Bidochka
- Department of Biological Sciences, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON Canada
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Alagesan A, Padmanaban B, Tharani G, Jawahar S, Manivannan S. An assessment of biological control of the banana pseudostem weevil Odoiporus longicollis (Olivier) by entomopathogenic fungi Beauveria bassiana. BIOCATALYSIS AND AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bcab.2019.101262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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18
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Wang J, Lovett B, St. Leger RJ. The secretome and chemistry of Metarhizium; a genus of entomopathogenic fungi. FUNGAL ECOL 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.funeco.2018.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
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19
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Islam T, Gupta DR, Surovy MZ, Mahmud NU, Mazlan N, Islam T. Identification and application of a fungal biocontrol agent Cladosporium cladosporioides against Bemisia tabaci. BIOTECHNOL BIOTEC EQ 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/13102818.2019.1695541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Touhidul Islam
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, Institute of Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur, Bangladesh
- Laboratory of SARD, School of Agriculture and Rural Development (SARD), Bangladesh Open University, Gazipur, Bangladesh
| | - Dipali Rani Gupta
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, Institute of Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur, Bangladesh
| | - Musrat Zahan Surovy
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, Institute of Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur, Bangladesh
| | - Nur Uddin Mahmud
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, Institute of Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur, Bangladesh
| | - Norida Mazlan
- Laboratory of Climate-Smart Food Crop Production, Institute of Tropical Agriculture and Food Security, Universiti Putra Malaysia, UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Tofazzal Islam
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, Institute of Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur, Bangladesh
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20
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Raethong N, Laoteng K, Vongsangnak W. Uncovering global metabolic response to cordycepin production in Cordyceps militaris through transcriptome and genome-scale network-driven analysis. Sci Rep 2018; 8:9250. [PMID: 29915355 PMCID: PMC6006141 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-27534-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2018] [Accepted: 06/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The cellular metabolic adaptations of Cordyceps militaris have been progressively studied. In particular, the cordycepin pathway is of interest in medicinal applications. Even though the metabolic pathways for cordycepin production are known to be related to different carbon sources, the regulatory mechanisms at a systems level are poorly characterized. To explore the regulatory mechanisms, this study therefore aimed to investigate the global metabolic response to cordycepin production in C. militaris through transcriptome analysis and genome-scale network-driven analysis. Here, transcriptome analysis of 16,805 expressed genes in C. militaris strain TBRC6039 grown on different carbon sources was performed. Of these genes, 2,883 were significantly differentially expressed genes, uncovering sucrose- and glucose-mediated changes in the transcriptional regulation of central carbon metabolism in C. militaris, which was shown using the CmSNF1 mechanism as an example. After applying genome-scale metabolic network-driven analysis, reporter metabolites and key metabolic subnetworks involving adenosine, cordycepin and methionine were proposed through the up-regulation of cordycepin biosynthetic genes. Our findings suggest that the transcriptional regulation of these pathways is a ubiquitous feature in response to specific culture conditions during cordycepin overproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nachon Raethong
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Bioscience, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, 10900, Thailand
| | - Kobkul Laoteng
- Bioprocess Technology Laboratory, Food Biotechnology Research Unit, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand
| | - Wanwipa Vongsangnak
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, 10900, Thailand. .,Computational Biomodelling Laboratory for Agricultural Science and Technology (CBLAST), Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, 10900, Thailand.
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21
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Lovett B, St Leger RJ. Genetically engineering better fungal biopesticides. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2018; 74:781-789. [PMID: 28905488 DOI: 10.1002/ps.4734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2017] [Accepted: 09/08/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Microbial insect pathogens offer an alternative means of pest control with the potential to wean us off our heavy reliance on chemical pesticides. Insect pathogenic fungi play an important natural role in controlling disease vectors and agricultural pests. Most commercial products employ Ascomycetes in the genera Metarhizium and Beauveria. However, their utilization has been limited by inconsistent field results as a consequence of sensitivity to abiotic stresses and naturally low virulence. Other naturally occurring biocontrol agents also face these hurdles to successful application, but the availability of complete genomes and recombinant DNA technologies have facilitated design of multiple fungal pathogens with enhanced virulence and stress resistance. Many natural and synthetic genes have been inserted into entomopathogen genomes. Some of the biggest gains in virulence have been obtained using genes encoding neurotoxic peptides, peptides that manipulate host physiology and proteases and chitinases that degrade the insect cuticle. Prokaryotes, particularly extremophiles, are useful sources of genes for improving entomopathogen resistance to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. These biological insecticides are environmentally friendly and cost-effective insect pest control options. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Lovett
- Department of Entomology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
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22
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Abstract
Fungi are the most common disease-causing agents of insects; aside from playing a crucial role in natural ecosystems, insect-killing fungi are being used as alternatives to chemical insecticides and as resources for biotechnology and pharmaceuticals. Some common experimentally tractable genera, such as Metarhizium spp., exemplify genetic diversity and dispersal because they contain numerous intraspecific variants with distinct environmental and insect host ranges. The availability of tools for molecular genetics and multiple sequenced genomes has made these fungi ideal experimental models for answering basic questions on the genetic and genomic processes behind adaptive phenotypes. For example, comparative genomics of entomopathogenic fungi has shown they exhibit diverse reproductive modes that often determine rates and patterns of genome evolution and are linked as cause or effect with pathogenic strategies. Fungal-insect pathogens represent lifestyle adaptations that evolved numerous times, and there are significant differences in host range and pathogenic strategies between the major groups. However, typically, spores landing on the cuticle produce appressoria and infection pegs that breach the cuticle using mechanical pressure and cuticle-degrading enzymes. Once inside the insect body cavity, fungal pathogens face a potent and comprehensively studied immune defense by which the host attempts to eliminate or reduce an infection. The Fungal Kingdom stands alone in the range, extent, and complexity of their manipulation of arthropod behavior. In part, this is because most only sporulate on cadavers, so they must ensure the dying host positions itself to allow efficient transmission.
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Dhawan M, Joshi N. Enzymatic comparison and mortality of Beauveria bassiana against cabbage caterpillar Pieris brassicae LINN. Braz J Microbiol 2017; 48:522-529. [PMID: 28262388 PMCID: PMC5498455 DOI: 10.1016/j.bjm.2016.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2015] [Accepted: 08/16/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Beauveria bassiana, an entomopathogenic fungus, is the alternative biocontrol agent exploited against major economic crop pests. Pieris brassicae L. is an emerging pest of the Brassicaceae family. Therefore, in the present study, fungal isolates of Beauveria bassiana, viz. MTCC 2028, MTCC 4495, MTCC 6291, and NBAII-11, were evaluated for their virulence against third instar larvae of P. brassicae. Among all these fungal isolates, maximum mortality (86.66%) was recorded in B. bassiana MTCC 4495 at higher concentration of spores (109conidia/ml), and the minimum mortality (30.00%) was recorded in B. bassiana MTCC 6291 at a lower concentration (107conidia/ml) after ten days of treatment. The extracellular cuticle-degrading enzyme activities of fungal isolates were measured. Variability was observed both in the pattern of enzyme secretion and the level of enzyme activities among various fungal isolates. B. bassiana MTCC 4495 recorded the maximum mean chitinase (0.51U/ml), protease (1.12U/ml), and lipase activities (1.36U/ml). The minimum mean chitinase and protease activities (0.37 and 0.91U/ml, respectively) were recorded in B. bassiana MTCC 6291. The minimum mean lipase activity (1.04U/ml) was recorded in B. bassiana NBAII-11. Our studies revealed B. bassiana MTCC 4495 as the most pathogenic isolate against P. brassicae, which also recorded maximum extracellular enzyme activities, suggesting the possible roles of extracellular enzymes in the pathogenicity of B. bassiana against P. brassicae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manish Dhawan
- Department of Entomology, Punjab Agricultural University, PAU, Ludhiana 141004, India
| | - Neelam Joshi
- Department of Entomology, Punjab Agricultural University, PAU, Ludhiana 141004, India.
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Humbert P, Przyklenk M, Vemmer M, Patel AV. Calcium gluconate as cross-linker improves survival and shelf life of encapsulated and dried Metarhizium brunneum and Saccharomyces cerevisiae for the application as biological control agents. J Microencapsul 2017; 34:47-56. [PMID: 28084135 DOI: 10.1080/02652048.2017.1282550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Calcium chloride (CC) is the most common cross-linker for the encapsulation of biocontrol microorganisms in alginate beads. The aim of this study was to evaluate if calcium gluconate (CG) can replace CC as cross-linker and at the same time improve viability after drying and rehydration, hygroscopic properties, shelf life and nutrient supply. Hence, the biocontrol fungi Metarhizium brunneum and Saccharomyces cerevisiae were encapsulated in Ca-alginate beads supplemented with starch. Beads were dried and maximum survival was found in beads cross-linked with CG. Beads prepared with CG showed lower hygroscopic properties, but a higher shelf life for encapsulated fungi. Moreover, we demonstrated that gluconate has a nutritive effect on encapsulated fungi, leading to increased mycelium growth of M. brunneum and to enhanced CO2 release from beads containing Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The application of CG as cross-linker will pave the way towards increasing drying survival and shelf life of various, especially drying-sensitive microbes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pascal Humbert
- a Faculty of Engineering and Mathematics, WG Fermentation and Formulation of Biologicals and Chemicals , Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences , Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Michael Przyklenk
- a Faculty of Engineering and Mathematics, WG Fermentation and Formulation of Biologicals and Chemicals , Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences , Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Marina Vemmer
- a Faculty of Engineering and Mathematics, WG Fermentation and Formulation of Biologicals and Chemicals , Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences , Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Anant V Patel
- a Faculty of Engineering and Mathematics, WG Fermentation and Formulation of Biologicals and Chemicals , Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences , Bielefeld, Germany
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25
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Wang C, Wang S. Insect Pathogenic Fungi: Genomics, Molecular Interactions, and Genetic Improvements. ANNUAL REVIEW OF ENTOMOLOGY 2017; 62:73-90. [PMID: 27860524 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-ento-031616-035509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 245] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Entomopathogenic fungi play a pivotal role in the regulation of insect populations in nature, and representative species have been developed as promising environmentally friendly mycoinsecticides. Recent advances in the genome biology of insect pathogenic fungi have revealed genomic features associated with fungal adaptation to insect hosts and different host ranges, as well as the evolutionary relationships between insect and noninsect pathogens. By using species in the Beauveria and Metarhizium genera as models, molecular biology studies have revealed the genes that function in fungus-insect interactions and thereby contribute to fungal virulence. Taken together with efforts toward genetic improvement of fungal virulence and stress resistance, knowledge of entomopathogenic fungi will potentiate cost-effective applications of mycoinsecticides for pest control in the field. Relative to our advanced insights into the mechanisms of fungal pathogenesis in plants and humans, future studies will be necessary to unravel the gene-for-gene relationships in fungus-insect interactive models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengshu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China; ,
| | - Sibao Wang
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China; ,
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26
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Nigg M, Bernier L. From yeast to hypha: defining transcriptomic signatures of the morphological switch in the dimorphic fungal pathogen Ophiostoma novo-ulmi. BMC Genomics 2016; 17:920. [PMID: 27846799 PMCID: PMC5111228 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-016-3251-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2016] [Accepted: 11/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Yeast-to-hypha transition is a major morphological change in fungi. Molecular regulators and pathways that are involved in this process have been extensively studied in model species, including Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The Mitogen-Actived Protein Kinase (MAPK) cascade, for example, is known to be involved in the yeast-to-pseudohypha switch. Yet the conservation of mechanisms regulating such morphological changes in non-model fungi is still poorly understood. Here, we investigate cell remodeling and transcriptomic modifications that occur during this morphological switch in the highly aggressive ascomycete fungus Ophiostoma novo-ulmi, the causal agent of Dutch elm disease. Results Using a combination of light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and flow cytometry, we demonstrate that the morphological switch occurs in less than 27 h, with phenotypic cell modifications being detected within the first 4 h. Using RNAseq, we found that over 22% of the genome of O. novo-ulmi is differentially expressed during the transition. By performing clustering analyses of time series gene expression data, we identified several sets of genes that are differentially expressed according to distinct and representative temporal profiles. Further, we found that several genes that are homologous to S. cerevisiae MAPK genes are regulated during the yeast-to-hypha transition in O. novo-ulmi and mostly over-expressed, suggesting convergence in gene expression regulation. Conclusions Our results are the first report of a time-course experiment monitoring the morphological transition in a non-model Sordariomycota species and reveal many genes of interest for further functional investigations of fungal dimorphism. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-016-3251-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Nigg
- Institut de Biologie Intégrative et des Systèmes (IBIS), Université Laval, Room 2255, Pavillon Charles-Eugène-Marchand, 1030, Avenue de la Médecine, Québec, Québec, G1V 0A6, Canada. .,Département des sciences du bois et de la forêt, Centre d'Étude de la Forêt (CEF), Université Laval, Québec, G1V 0A6, Canada.
| | - L Bernier
- Institut de Biologie Intégrative et des Systèmes (IBIS), Université Laval, Room 2255, Pavillon Charles-Eugène-Marchand, 1030, Avenue de la Médecine, Québec, Québec, G1V 0A6, Canada.,Département des sciences du bois et de la forêt, Centre d'Étude de la Forêt (CEF), Université Laval, Québec, G1V 0A6, Canada
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Zhang YJ, Xie M, Zhang XL, Peng DL, Yu WB, Li Q, Li Q, Zhao JJ, Zhang ZR. Establishment of polyethylene-glycol-mediated protoplast transformation for Lecanicillium lecanii and development of virulence-enhanced strains against Aphis gossypii. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2016; 72:1951-1958. [PMID: 26800336 DOI: 10.1002/ps.4236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2015] [Revised: 01/14/2016] [Accepted: 01/18/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lecanicillium lecanii has been developed as a biopesticide and used in biological control of several agricultural insects. To improve fungal virulence, an optimised polyethylene glycol (PEG)-mediated protoplast transformation system was established for L. lecanii. Pr1A-like cuticle-degrading protease gene (Cdep1) from Beauveria bassiana was transferred into L. lecanii, and its resulting activity against Aphis gossypii was assessed. RESULTS The optimised protoplast generation yielded 2.5 × 10(8) protoplasts g(-1) wet mycelium of fungi, and gave nearly 98% viability and 80% regeneration on plates. Protease activities were increased about fivefold in transformants expressing CDEP1. The median lethal concentration (LC50 ) for transformants expressing CDEP1 was twofold lower than that for the wild type (WT). The median survival time (LT50 ) for transformants expressing CDEP1 was also 14.2% shorter than that for WT, though no significant difference. There were no significant differences in conidial germination as colony growth and conidial yield on plates between transformants expressing CDEP1 and WT. The transformants expressing CDEP1 grew significantly quicker than WT in insects. The transformants expressing CDEP1 were lower in conidial yields on insect cadavers, but insignificantly different from WT. CONCLUSION The PEG-mediated protoplast transformation system was effective for L. lecanii, and the expression of CDEP1 significantly enhanced fungal virulence against cotton aphids. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Jun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ming Xie
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao-Lin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - De-Liang Peng
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wen-Bin Yu
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qiang Li
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
| | - Qian Li
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
| | - Jin-Jin Zhao
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhao-Rong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
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Khan S, Nadir S, Wang X, Khan A, Xu J, Li M, Tao L, Khan S, Karunarathna SC. Using in silico techniques: Isolation and characterization of an insect cuticle-degrading-protease gene from Beauveria bassiana. Microb Pathog 2016; 97:189-97. [PMID: 27287496 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2016.05.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2016] [Revised: 05/05/2016] [Accepted: 05/29/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Cuticle-degrading-proteases (CDPs) secreted by Beauveria spp. are pivotal biocontrol substances, possessing commercial potential for developing bio-pesticides. Therefore, a thoughtful and contemplative understanding and assessment of the structural and functional features of these proteases would markedly assist the development of biogenic pesticides. Computational molecular biology is a new facile alternative approach to the tedious experimental molecular biology; therefore, by using bioinformatics tools, we isolated and characterized an insect CDP gene from Beauveria bassiana 70 s.l. genomic DNA. The CDP gene (1240 bp with GeneBank accession no. KT804651.1) consisted of three introns and four CDS exons, and shared 74-100% sequence identity to the reference CDP genes. Its phylogenetic tree results showed a unique evolution pattern, and the predicted amino acid peptide (PAAP) consisted of 344 amino acid residues with pI, molecular weight, instability index, grand average hydropathicity value and aliphatic index of 7.2, 35.4 kDa, 24.45, -0.149, and 76.63, respectively. The gene possessed 74-89% amino acid sequence similarity to the 12 reference strains. Three motifs (Peptidase_S8 subtilase family) were detected in the PAAP, and the computed 3D structure possessed 79.09% structural identity to alkaline serine proteases. The PAAP had four (three serine proteases and one Pyridoxal-dependent decarboxylase) conserved domains, a disulfide bridge, two calcium binding sites, MY domain, and three predicted active sites in the serine family domains. These results will set the groundwork for further exploitation of proteases and understanding the mechanism of disease caused by cuticle-degrading-serine-proteases from entomopathogenic fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sehroon Khan
- World Agroforestry Centre, East and Central Asia Office, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 132 Lanhei Rd, Heilongtan, Kunming 650201, Yunnan, China; Centre for Mountain Ecosystem Studies, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, Yunnan, China.
| | - Sadia Nadir
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Science and Technology Bannu, 28100 Bannu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan; Rice Research Institute, Yunnan Agriculture University, Heilongtan, Kunming 650201, Yunnan, China
| | - Xuewen Wang
- Germplasm Bank of Wild Species, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Science, Kunming 650201, Yunnan, China.
| | - Afsar Khan
- Department of Chemistry, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Abbottabad 22060, Pakistan
| | - Jianchu Xu
- World Agroforestry Centre, East and Central Asia Office, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 132 Lanhei Rd, Heilongtan, Kunming 650201, Yunnan, China; Centre for Mountain Ecosystem Studies, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, Yunnan, China
| | - Meng Li
- Germplasm Bank of Wild Species, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Science, Kunming 650201, Yunnan, China
| | - Lihong Tao
- Germplasm Bank of Wild Species, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Science, Kunming 650201, Yunnan, China
| | - Siraj Khan
- School of Software, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Samantha C Karunarathna
- World Agroforestry Centre, East and Central Asia Office, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 132 Lanhei Rd, Heilongtan, Kunming 650201, Yunnan, China
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Barelli L, Moonjely S, Behie SW, Bidochka MJ. Fungi with multifunctional lifestyles: endophytic insect pathogenic fungi. PLANT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2016; 90:657-664. [PMID: 26644135 DOI: 10.1007/s11103-015-0413-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2015] [Accepted: 11/24/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
This review examines the symbiotic, evolutionary, proteomic and genetic basis for a group of fungi that occupy a specialized niche as insect pathogens as well as endophytes. We focus primarily on species in the genera Metarhizium and Beauveria, traditionally recognized as insect pathogenic fungi but are also found as plant symbionts. Phylogenetic evidence suggests that these fungi are more closely related to grass endophytes and diverged from that lineage ca. 100 MYA. We explore how the dual life cycles of these fungi as insect pathogens and endophytes are coupled. We discuss the evolution of insect pathogenesis while maintaining an endophytic lifestyle and provide examples of genes that may be involved in the transition toward insect pathogenicity. That is, some genes for insect pathogenesis may have been co-opted from genes involved in endophytic colonization. Other genes may be multifunctional and serve in both lifestyle capacities. We suggest that their evolution as insect pathogens allowed them to effectively barter a specialized nitrogen source (i.e. insects) with host plants for photosynthate. These ubiquitous fungi may play an important role as plant growth promoters and have a potential reservoir of secondary metabolites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larissa Barelli
- Department of Biological Sciences, Brock University, 1812 Sir Isaac Brock Way, St. Catharines, ON, L2S 3A1, Canada
| | - Soumya Moonjely
- Department of Biological Sciences, Brock University, 1812 Sir Isaac Brock Way, St. Catharines, ON, L2S 3A1, Canada
| | - Scott W Behie
- Department of Biological Sciences, Brock University, 1812 Sir Isaac Brock Way, St. Catharines, ON, L2S 3A1, Canada
| | - Michael J Bidochka
- Department of Biological Sciences, Brock University, 1812 Sir Isaac Brock Way, St. Catharines, ON, L2S 3A1, Canada.
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Wang JB, St Leger RJ, Wang C. Advances in Genomics of Entomopathogenic Fungi. ADVANCES IN GENETICS 2016; 94:67-105. [PMID: 27131323 DOI: 10.1016/bs.adgen.2016.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Fungi are the commonest pathogens of insects and crucial regulators of insect populations. The rapid advance of genome technologies has revolutionized our understanding of entomopathogenic fungi with multiple Metarhizium spp. sequenced, as well as Beauveria bassiana, Cordyceps militaris, and Ophiocordyceps sinensis among others. Phylogenomic analysis suggests that the ancestors of many of these fungi were plant endophytes or pathogens, with entomopathogenicity being an acquired characteristic. These fungi now occupy a wide range of habitats and hosts, and their genomes have provided a wealth of information on the evolution of virulence-related characteristics, as well as the protein families and genomic structure associated with ecological and econutritional heterogeneity, genome evolution, and host range diversification. In particular, their evolutionary transition from plant pathogens or endophytes to insect pathogens provides a novel perspective on how new functional mechanisms important for host switching and virulence are acquired. Importantly, genomic resources have helped make entomopathogenic fungi ideal model systems for answering basic questions in parasitology, entomology, and speciation. At the same time, identifying the selective forces that act upon entomopathogen fitness traits could underpin both the development of new mycoinsecticides and further our understanding of the natural roles of these fungi in nature. These roles frequently include mutualistic relationships with plants. Genomics has also facilitated the rapid identification of genes encoding biologically useful molecules, with implications for the development of pharmaceuticals and the use of these fungi as bioreactors.
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Affiliation(s)
- J B Wang
- University of Maryland, College Park, MD, United States
| | - R J St Leger
- University of Maryland, College Park, MD, United States
| | - C Wang
- Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
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Moonjely S, Barelli L, Bidochka MJ. Insect Pathogenic Fungi as Endophytes. ADVANCES IN GENETICS 2016; 94:107-35. [PMID: 27131324 DOI: 10.1016/bs.adgen.2015.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
In this chapter, we explore some of the evolutionary, ecological, molecular genetics, and applied aspects of a subset of insect pathogenic fungi that also have a lifestyle as endophytes and we term endophytic insect pathogenic fungi (EIPF). We focus particularly on Metarhizium spp. and Beauveria bassiana as EIPF. The discussion of the evolution of EIPF challenges a view that these fungi were first and foremost insect pathogens that eventually evolved to colonize plants. Phylogenetic evidence shows that the lineages of EIPF are most closely related to grass endophytes that diverged c. 100MYA. We discuss the relationship between genes involved in "insect pathogenesis" and those involved in "endophytism" and provide examples of genes with potential importance in lifestyle transitions toward insect pathogenicity. That is, some genes for insect pathogenesis may have been coopted from genes involved in endophytic colonization. Other genes may be multifunctional and serve in both lifestyle capacities. The interactions of EIPF with their host plants are discussed in some detail. The genetic basis for rhizospheric competence, plant communication, and nutrient exchange is examined and we highlight, with examples, the benefits of EIPF to plants, and the potential reservoir of secondary metabolites hidden within these beneficial symbioses.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Moonjely
- Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, Canada
| | - L Barelli
- Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, Canada
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32
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Chen X, Xu C, Qian Y, Liu R, Zhang Q, Zeng G, Zhang X, Zhao H, Fang W. MAPK cascade-mediated regulation of pathogenicity, conidiation and tolerance to abiotic stresses in the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium robertsii. Environ Microbiol 2016; 18:1048-62. [PMID: 26714892 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.13198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2015] [Revised: 12/20/2015] [Accepted: 12/22/2015] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Metarhizium robertsii has been used as a model to study fungal pathogenesis in insects, and its pathogenicity has many parallels with plant and mammal pathogenic fungi. MAPK (Mitogen-activated protein kinase) cascades play pivotal roles in cellular regulation in fungi, but their functions have not been characterized in M. robertsii. In this study, we identified the full complement of MAPK cascade components in M. robertsii and dissected their regulatory roles in pathogenesis, conidiation and stress tolerance. The nine components of the Fus3, Hog1 and Slt2-MAPK cascades are all involved in conidiation. The Fus3- and Hog1-MAPK cascades are necessary for tolerance to hyperosmotic stress, and the Slt2- and Fus3-MAPK cascades both mediate cell wall integrity. The Hog1 and Slt2-MAPK cascades contribute to pathogenicity; the Fus3-MAPK cascade is indispensable for fungal pathogenesis. During its life cycle, M. robertsii experiences multiple microenvironments as it transverses the cuticle into the haemocoel. RNA-seq analysis revealed that MAPK cascades collectively play a major role in regulating the adaptation of M. robertsii to the microenvironmental change from the cuticle to the haemolymph. The three MAPKs each regulate their own distinctive subset of genes during penetration of the cuticle and haemocoel colonization, but they function redundantly to regulate adaptation to microenvironmental change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxuan Chen
- Institute of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, China
| | - Chuan Xu
- Institute of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, China
| | - Ying Qian
- Institute of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, China
| | - Ran Liu
- Institute of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, China
| | - Qiangqiang Zhang
- Institute of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, China
| | - Guohong Zeng
- Institute of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- Institute of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, China
| | - Hong Zhao
- Institute of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, China
| | - Weiguo Fang
- Institute of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, China
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Differential Expression of Genes Involved in Host Recognition, Attachment, and Degradation in the Mycoparasite Tolypocladium ophioglossoides. G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS 2016; 6:731-41. [PMID: 26801645 PMCID: PMC4777134 DOI: 10.1534/g3.116.027045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The ability of a fungus to infect novel hosts is dependent on changes in gene content, expression, or regulation. Examining gene expression under simulated host conditions can explore which genes may contribute to host jumping. Insect pathogenesis is the inferred ancestral character state for species of Tolypocladium, however several species are parasites of truffles, including Tolypocladium ophioglossoides. To identify potentially crucial genes in this interkingdom host switch, T. ophioglossoides was grown on four media conditions: media containing the inner and outer portions of its natural host (truffles of Elaphomyces), cuticles from an ancestral host (beetle), and a rich medium (Yeast Malt). Through high-throughput RNASeq of mRNA from these conditions, many differentially expressed genes were identified in the experiment. These included PTH11-related G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) hypothesized to be involved in host recognition, and also found to be upregulated in insect pathogens. A divergent chitinase with a signal peptide was also found to be highly upregulated on media containing truffle tissue, suggesting an exogenous degradative activity in the presence of the truffle host. The adhesin gene, Mad1, was highly expressed on truffle media as well. A BiNGO analysis of overrepresented GO terms from genes expressed during each growth condition found that genes involved in redox reactions and transmembrane transport were the most overrepresented during T. ophioglossoides growth on truffle media, suggesting their importance in growth on fungal tissue as compared to other hosts and environments. Genes involved in secondary metabolism were most highly expressed during growth on insect tissue, suggesting that their products may not be necessary during parasitism of Elaphomyces. This study provides clues into understanding genetic mechanisms underlying the transition from insect to truffle parasitism.
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Lacey L, Grzywacz D, Shapiro-Ilan D, Frutos R, Brownbridge M, Goettel M. Insect pathogens as biological control agents: Back to the future. J Invertebr Pathol 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2015.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 545] [Impact Index Per Article: 60.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Stress tolerance and virulence of insect-pathogenic fungi are determined by environmental conditions during conidial formation. Curr Genet 2015; 61:383-404. [PMID: 25791499 DOI: 10.1007/s00294-015-0477-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2014] [Revised: 01/29/2015] [Accepted: 01/30/2015] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The virulence to insects and tolerance to heat and UV-B radiation of conidia of entomopathogenic fungi are greatly influenced by physical, chemical, and nutritional conditions during mycelial growth. This is evidenced, for example, by the stress phenotypes of Metarhizium robertsii produced on various substrates. Conidia from minimal medium (Czapek's medium without sucrose), complex medium, and insect (Lepidoptera and Coleoptera) cadavers had high, moderate, and poor tolerance to UV-B radiation, respectively. Furthermore, conidia from minimal medium germinated faster and had increased heat tolerance and were more virulent to insects than those from complex medium. Low water-activity or alkaline culture conditions also resulted in production of conidia with high tolerance to heat or UV-B radiation. Conidia produced on complex media exhibited lower stress tolerance, whereas those from complex media supplemented with NaCl or KCl (to reduce water activity) were more tolerant to heat and UV-B than those from the unmodified complex medium. Osmotic and nutritive stresses resulted in production of conidia with a robust stress phenotype, but also were associated with low conidial yield. Physical conditions such as growth under illumination, hypoxic conditions, and heat shock before conidial production also induced both higher UV-B and heat tolerance; but conidial production was not decreased. In conclusion, physical and chemical parameters, as well as nutrition source, can induce great variability in conidial tolerance to stress for entomopathogenic fungi. Implications are discussed in relation to the ecology of entomopathogenic fungi in the field, and to their use for biological control. This review will cover recent technologies on improving stress tolerance of entomopathogenic fungi for biological control of insects.
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MrSkn7 controls sporulation, cell wall integrity, autolysis, and virulence in Metarhizium robertsii. EUKARYOTIC CELL 2015; 14:396-405. [PMID: 25710964 DOI: 10.1128/ec.00266-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2014] [Accepted: 02/16/2015] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Two-component signaling pathways generally include sensor histidine kinases and response regulators. We identified an ortholog of the response regulator protein Skn7 in the insect-pathogenic fungus Metarhizium robertsii, which we named MrSkn7. Gene deletion assays and functional characterizations indicated that MrSkn7 functions as a transcription factor. The MrSkn7 null mutant of M. robertsii lost the ability to sporulate and had defects in cell wall biosynthesis but was not sensitive to oxidative and osmotic stresses compared to the wild type. However, the mutant was able to produce spores under salt stress. Insect bioassays using these spores showed that the virulence of the mutant was significantly impaired compared to that of the wild type due to the failures to form the infection structure appressorium and evade host immunity. In particular, deletion of MrSkn7 triggered cell autolysis with typical features such as cell vacuolization, downregulation of repressor genes, and upregulation of autolysis-related genes such as extracellular chitinases and proteases. Promoter binding assays confirmed that MrSkn7 could directly or indirectly control different putative target genes. Taken together, the results of this study help us understand the functional divergence of Skn7 orthologs as well as the mechanisms underlying the development and control of virulence in insect-pathogenic fungi.
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Huang W, Shang Y, Chen P, Cen K, Wang C. Basic leucine zipper (bZIP) domain transcription factor MBZ1 regulates cell wall integrity, spore adherence, and virulence in Metarhizium robertsii. J Biol Chem 2015; 290:8218-31. [PMID: 25673695 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m114.630939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcription factors (TFs) containing the basic leucine zipper (bZIP) domain are widely distributed in eukaryotes and display an array of distinct functions. In this study, a bZIP-type TF gene (MBZ1) was deleted and functionally characterized in the insect pathogenic fungus Metarhizium robertsii. The deletion mutant (ΔMBZ1) showed defects in cell wall integrity, adhesion to hydrophobic surfaces, and topical infection of insects. Relative to the WT, ΔMBZ1 was also impaired in growth and conidiogenesis. Examination of putative target gene expression indicated that the genes involved in chitin biosynthesis were differentially transcribed in ΔMBZ1 compared with the WT, which led to the accumulation of a higher level of chitin in mutant cell walls. MBZ1 exhibited negative regulation of subtilisin proteases, but positive control of an adhesin gene, which is consistent with the observation of effects on cell autolysis and a reduction in spore adherence to hydrophobic surfaces in ΔMBZ1. Promoter binding assays indicated that MBZ1 can bind to different target genes and suggested the possibility of heterodimer formation to increase the diversity of the MBZ1 regulatory network. The results of this study advance our understanding of the divergence of bZIP-type TFs at both intra- and interspecific levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Huang
- From the Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yanfang Shang
- From the Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Peilin Chen
- From the Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Kai Cen
- From the Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Chengshu Wang
- From the Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
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Luo F, Wang Q, Yin C, Ge Y, Hu F, Huang B, Zhou H, Bao G, Wang B, Lu R, Li Z. Differential metabolic responses of Beauveria bassiana cultured in pupae extracts, root exudates and its interactions with insect and plant. J Invertebr Pathol 2015; 130:154-64. [PMID: 25584432 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2015.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2014] [Revised: 12/30/2014] [Accepted: 01/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Beauveria bassiana is a kind of world-wide entomopathogenic fungus and can also colonize plant rhizosphere. Previous researches showed differential expression of genes when entomopathogenic fungi are cultured in insect or plant materials. However, so far there is no report on metabolic alterations of B. bassiana in the environments of insect or plant. The purpose of this paper is to address this problem. Herein, we first provide the metabolomic analysis of B. bassiana cultured in insect pupae extracts (derived from Euproctis pseudoconspersa and Bombyx mori, EPP and BMP), plant root exudates (derived from asparagus and carrot, ARE and CRE), distilled water and minimal media (MM), respectively. Principal components analysis (PCA) shows that mycelia cultured in pupae extracts and root exudates are evidently separated and individually separated from MM, which indicates that fungus accommodates to insect and plant environments by different metabolic regulation mechanisms. Subsequently, orthogonal projection on latent structure-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) identifies differential metabolites in fungus under three environments relative to MM. Hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA) is performed to cluster compounds based on biochemical relationships, showing that sphingolipids are increased in BMP but are decreased in EPP. This observation further implies that sphingolipid metabolism may be involved in the adaptation of fungus to different hosts. In the meantime, sphingolipids are significantly decreased in root exudates but they are not decreased in distilled water, suggesting that some components of the root exudates can suppress sphingolipid to down-regulate sphingolipid metabolism. Pathway analysis finds that fatty acid metabolism is maintained at high level but non-ribosomal peptides (NRP) synthesis is unaffected in mycelia cultured in pupae extracts. In contrast, fatty acid metabolism is not changed but NRP synthesis is high in mycelia cultured in root exudates and distilled water. This indicates that fungal fatty acid metabolism is enhanced when contacting insect, but when in the absence of insect hosts NRP synthesis is increased. Ornithine, arginine and GABA are decreased in mycelia cultured in pupae extracts and root exudates but remain unchanged in distilled water, which suggests that they may be associated with fungal cross-talk with insects and plants. Trehalose and mannitol are decreased while adenine is increased in three conditions, signifying carbon shortage in cells. Together, these results unveil that B. bassiana has differential metabolic responses in pupae extracts and root exudates, and metabolic similarity in root exudates and distilled water is possibly due to the lack of insect components.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feifei Luo
- Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China; Shanghai Institute of Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Qian Wang
- Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Chunlin Yin
- Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Yinglu Ge
- Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Fenglin Hu
- Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China.
| | - Bo Huang
- Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Hong Zhou
- Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA 93943, USA
| | - Guanhu Bao
- Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Bin Wang
- Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Ruili Lu
- Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China.
| | - Zengzhi Li
- Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
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Stress is the rule rather than the exception for Metarhizium. Curr Genet 2014; 61:253-61. [DOI: 10.1007/s00294-014-0447-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2014] [Revised: 08/07/2014] [Accepted: 08/17/2014] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
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Huang W, Shang Y, Chen P, Gao Q, Wang C. MrpacC regulates sporulation, insect cuticle penetration and immune evasion inMetarhizium robertsii. Environ Microbiol 2014; 17:994-1008. [DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.12451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2013] [Accepted: 01/30/2014] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Wei Huang
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology; Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology; Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shanghai 200032 China
| | - Yanfang Shang
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology; Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology; Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shanghai 200032 China
| | - Peilin Chen
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology; Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology; Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shanghai 200032 China
| | - Qiang Gao
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology; Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology; Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shanghai 200032 China
| | - Chengshu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology; Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology; Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shanghai 200032 China
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Leão MPC, Tiago PV, Andreote FD, de Araújo WL, de Oliveira NT. Differential expression of the pr1A gene in Metarhizium anisopliae and Metarhizium acridum across different culture conditions and during pathogenesis. Genet Mol Biol 2014; 38:86-92. [PMID: 25983629 PMCID: PMC4415565 DOI: 10.1590/s1415-475738138120140236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2014] [Accepted: 10/30/2014] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The entomopathogenic fungi of the genus Metarhizium have several
subtilisin-like proteases that are involved in pathogenesis and these have been used
to investigate genes that are differentially expressed in response to different
growth conditions. The identification and characterization of these proteases can
provide insight into how the fungus is capable of infecting a wide variety of insects
and adapt to different substrates. In addition, the pr1A gene has
been used for the genetic improvement of strains used in pest control. In this study
we used quantitative RT-PCR to assess the relative expression levels of the
pr1A gene in M. anisopliae and M.
acridum during growth in different culture conditions and during
infection of the sugar cane borer, Diatraea saccharalis Fabricius.
We also carried out a pathogenicity test to assess the virulence of both species
against D. saccharalis and correlated the results with the pattern
of pr1A gene expression. This analysis revealed that, in both
species, the pr1A gene was differentially expressed under the growth
conditions studied and during the pathogenic process. M. anisopliae
showed higher expression of pr1A in all conditions examined, when
compared to M. acridum. Furthermore, M. anisopliae
showed a greater potential to control D. saccharalis. Taken
together, our results suggest that these species have developed different strategies
to adapt to different growing conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Fernando Dini Andreote
- Departamento de Ciência do Solo, Escola Superior de Agricultura "Luiz de Queiroz", Universidade de São Paulo, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
| | - Welington Luiz de Araújo
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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Larriba E, Jaime MDLA, Carbonell-Caballero J, Conesa A, Dopazo J, Nislow C, Martín-Nieto J, Lopez-Llorca LV. Sequencing and functional analysis of the genome of a nematode egg-parasitic fungus, Pochonia chlamydosporia. Fungal Genet Biol 2014; 65:69-80. [PMID: 24530791 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2014.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2013] [Revised: 02/03/2014] [Accepted: 02/07/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Pochonia chlamydosporia is a worldwide-distributed soil fungus with a great capacity to infect and destroy the eggs and kill females of plant-parasitic nematodes. Additionally, it has the ability to colonize endophytically roots of economically-important crop plants, thereby promoting their growth and eliciting plant defenses. This multitrophic behavior makes P. chlamydosporia a potentially useful tool for sustainable agriculture approaches. We sequenced and assembled ∼41 Mb of P. chlamydosporia genomic DNA and predicted 12,122 gene models, of which many were homologous to genes of fungal pathogens of invertebrates and fungal plant pathogens. Predicted genes (65%) were functionally annotated according to Gene Ontology, and 16% of them found to share homology with genes in the Pathogen Host Interactions (PHI) database. The genome of this fungus is highly enriched in genes encoding hydrolytic enzymes, such as proteases, glycoside hydrolases and carbohydrate esterases. We used RNA-Seq technology in order to identify the genes expressed during endophytic behavior of P. chlamydosporia when colonizing barley roots. Functional annotation of these genes showed that hydrolytic enzymes and transporters are expressed during endophytism. This structural and functional analysis of the P. chlamydosporia genome provides a starting point for understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in the multitrophic lifestyle of this fungus. The genomic information provided here should also prove useful for enhancing the capabilities of this fungus as a biocontrol agent of plant-parasitic nematodes and as a plant growth-promoting organism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo Larriba
- Department of Marine Sciences and Applied Biology, University of Alicante, P.O. Box. 99, E-03080 Alicante, Spain; Multidisciplinary Institute for Environmental Studies (MIES) "Ramón Margalef", University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain.
| | - María D L A Jaime
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, M5S 3G5 Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.
| | - José Carbonell-Caballero
- Institute for Computational Genomics, Príncipe Felipe Research Center, Avda. Eduardo Primo Yúfera 3, E-46012 Valencia, Spain.
| | - Ana Conesa
- Institute for Computational Genomics, Príncipe Felipe Research Center, Avda. Eduardo Primo Yúfera 3, E-46012 Valencia, Spain.
| | - Joaquín Dopazo
- Institute for Computational Genomics, Príncipe Felipe Research Center, Avda. Eduardo Primo Yúfera 3, E-46012 Valencia, Spain.
| | - Corey Nislow
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, M5S 1A8 Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Banting and Best Department of Medical Research, University of Toronto, M5S 3E1 Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Terrence Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomedical Research, University of Toronto, M5S 3E1 Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
| | - José Martín-Nieto
- Multidisciplinary Institute for Environmental Studies (MIES) "Ramón Margalef", University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain; Department of Physiology, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Alicante, E-03080 Alicante, Spain.
| | - Luis Vicente Lopez-Llorca
- Department of Marine Sciences and Applied Biology, University of Alicante, P.O. Box. 99, E-03080 Alicante, Spain; Multidisciplinary Institute for Environmental Studies (MIES) "Ramón Margalef", University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain.
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Wu S, Gao Y, Zhang Y, Wang E, Xu X, Lei Z. An entomopathogenic strain of Beauveria bassiana against Frankliniella occidentalis with no detrimental effect on the predatory mite Neoseiulus barkeri: evidence from laboratory bioassay and scanning electron microscopic observation. PLoS One 2014; 9:e84732. [PMID: 24454744 PMCID: PMC3891770 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0084732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2013] [Accepted: 11/19/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Among 28 isolates of Beauveria bassiana tested for virulence against F. occidentalis in laboratory bioassays, we found strain SZ-26 as the most potent, causing 96% mortality in adults at 1×10(7) mL(-1)conidia after 4 days. The effect of the strain SZ-26 on survival, longevity and fecundity of the predatory mite Neoseiulus (Amblyseius) barkeri Hughes were studied under laboratory conditions. The bioassay results showed that the corrected mortalities were less than 4 and 8% at 10 days following inoculation of the adult and the larvae of the predator, respectively, with 1×10(7) conidia mL(-1) of SZ-26. Furthermore, no fungal hyphae were found in dead predators. The oviposition and postoviposition durations, longevity, and fecundity displayed no significant differences after inoculation with SZ-26 using first-instar larvae of F. occidentalis as prey in comparison with untreated predator. In contrast, the preoviposition durations were significantly longer. Observations with a scanning electron microscope, revealed that many conidia were attached to the cuticles of F. occidentalis at 2 h after treatment with germ tubes oriented toward cuticle at 24 h, penetration of the insect cuticle at 36 h, and finally, fungal colonization of the whole insect body at 60 h. In contrast, we never observed penetration of the predator's cuticle and conidia were shed gradually from the body, further demonstrating that B. bassiana strain SZ-26 show high toxicity against F. occidentalis but no pathogenicity to predatory mite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengyong Wu
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Yulin Gao
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Yaping Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Endong Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Xuenong Xu
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Zhongren Lei
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, P.R. China
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44
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Advances in Microbial Insect Control in Horticultural Ecosystem. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND BIODIVERSITY 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-06904-3_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
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45
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Sahayaraj K, Borgio JF, Lucini L. Route of infection and hematological effect of Metarhizium anisopliae (Metsch.) Sorokin on Dysdercus cingulatus (Fab.) adult. J Basic Microbiol 2013; 54:6-17. [PMID: 23456609 DOI: 10.1002/jobm.201200258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2012] [Accepted: 08/09/2012] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
The primary objective of this work was to identify, under laboratory conditions, the route of infection and hemogram of Dysdercus cingulatus (Fab.) adults by Metarhizium anisopliae. The infection process in D. cingulatus by M. anisopliae involved the conidia adherence to the host cuticle and germination after 24 h post-infection, accompanied by falling of bristles. The subsequent step, within 24-48 h post-infection, comprised penetration of fungus through spiracles, root of bristles, hemolymph, and the three dorsal sacs. Subsequently, within 72-96 h post-infection, the fungus penetrated into trachea and sacs, then emerged on cuticular surface and was found to be maximum in hemolymph. A great decrease in hemocytes count was observed within 96 h from infection. The hemosomic index (HSI) decreased gradually as the incubation period increased. As far as we know, this is the first study to know the mechanism of action of M. anisopliae to D. cingulatus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kitherian Sahayaraj
- Crop Protection Research Centre, St. Xavier's College (Autonomous), Palayamkottai, Tamil Nadu, India
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46
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Esther CP, Erika AS, Rosa María MC, de la Torre M. Performance of two isolates of Isaria fumosorosea from hot climate zones in solid and submerged cultures and thermotolerance of their propagules. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2012; 29:309-17. [PMID: 23065378 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-012-1184-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2012] [Accepted: 09/27/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Isaria fumosorosea frequently causes mycosis of agricultural pests in the hot semiarid and dry tropical regions of Mexico. Because temperature tolerance restricts the use of fungal biopesticides, we investigated two isolates from these areas for possible development into mycoinsecticides for use in hot weather agricultural zones. We studied the effects of culture system (solid or submerged cultures) and temperature on the fungal growth, extracellular enzyme production, pathogenicity, and thermotolerance of the produced propagules. Between 20 and 28 °C, the specific growth rates of the isolate PCC were higher on solid media, but in the submerged culture, the isolate P43A grew faster even at temperatures of up to 34 °C. On solid media, P43A produced 1.5-fold more proteases than PCC, but in the submerged culture, both strains had similar activities. Under the same culture conditions, PCC produced a blastospore:conidia ratio of 1:2, and P43A produced a ratio of 1:5. PCC aerial conidia had the shortest Lethal Time 50 (LT(50), the time to reach 50 % mortality) against Galleria mellonella larvae, but LT(50) was equal for the aerial conidia and the submerged propagules of P43A and PCC. The submerged and aerial propagules of P43A were more thermotolerant than those of PCC. Each isolate performed differently in each culture system, and we concluded that the intended production method should be included as a criterion for screening of entomopathogenic fungus. We found that thermotolerance is a specific characteristic of an isolate from a given species. Because of its specific characteristics, P43A shows more promise for the development of a submerged conidia-based mycoinsecticide for foliar application in aqueous form in hot climate regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carrillo-Pérez Esther
- Institute of Engineering, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Calle de la Normal S/N, Insurgentes Este, C.P. 21280 Mexicali, B.C, Mexico
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47
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Large scale expressed sequence tag (EST) analysis of Metarhizium acridum infecting Locusta migratoria reveals multiple strategies for fungal adaptation to the host cuticle. Curr Genet 2012; 58:265-79. [DOI: 10.1007/s00294-012-0382-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2012] [Revised: 09/21/2012] [Accepted: 09/21/2012] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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48
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Xiao G, Ying SH, Zheng P, Wang ZL, Zhang S, Xie XQ, Shang Y, St Leger RJ, Zhao GP, Wang C, Feng MG. Genomic perspectives on the evolution of fungal entomopathogenicity in Beauveria bassiana. Sci Rep 2012; 2:483. [PMID: 22761991 PMCID: PMC3387728 DOI: 10.1038/srep00483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 413] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2012] [Accepted: 06/15/2012] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The ascomycete fungus Beauveria bassiana is a pathogen of hundreds of insect species and is commercially produced as an environmentally friendly mycoinsecticide. We sequenced the genome of B. bassiana and a phylogenomic analysis confirmed that ascomycete entomopathogenicity is polyphyletic, but also revealed convergent evolution to insect pathogenicity. We also found many species-specific virulence genes and gene family expansions and contractions that correlate with host ranges and pathogenic strategies. These include B. bassiana having many more bacterial-like toxins (suggesting an unsuspected potential for oral toxicity) and effector-type proteins. The genome also revealed that B. bassiana resembles the closely related Cordyceps militaris in being heterothallic, although its sexual stage is rarely observed. A high throughput RNA-seq transcriptomic analysis revealed that B. bassiana could sense and adapt to different environmental niches by activating well-defined gene sets. The information from this study will facilitate further development of B. bassiana as a cost-effective mycoinsecticide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guohua Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
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49
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Ward E, Kerry BR, Manzanilla-López RH, Mutua G, Devonshire J, Kimenju J, Hirsch PR. The Pochonia chlamydosporia serine protease gene vcp1 is subject to regulation by carbon, nitrogen and pH: implications for nematode biocontrol. PLoS One 2012; 7:e35657. [PMID: 22558192 PMCID: PMC3338732 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0035657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2012] [Accepted: 03/22/2012] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The alkaline serine protease VCP1 of the fungus Pochonia chlamydosporia belongs to a family of subtilisin-like enzymes that are involved in infection of nematode and insect hosts. It is involved early in the infection process, removing the outer proteinaceous vitelline membrane of nematode eggs. Little is known about the regulation of this gene, even though an understanding of how nutrients and other factors affect its expression is critical for ensuring its efficacy as a biocontrol agent. This paper provides new information on the regulation of vcp1 expression. Sequence analysis of the upstream regulatory region of this gene in 30 isolates revealed that it was highly conserved and contained sequence motifs characteristic of genes that are subject to carbon, nitrogen and pH-regulation. Expression studies, monitoring enzyme activity and mRNA, confirmed that these factors affect VCP1 production. As expected, glucose reduced VCP1 expression and for a few hours so did ammonium chloride. Surprisingly, however, by 24 h VCP1 levels were increased in the presence of ammonium chloride for most isolates. Ambient pH also regulated VCP1 expression, with most isolates producing more VCP1 under alkaline conditions. There were some differences in the response of one isolate with a distinctive upstream sequence including a variant regulatory-motif profile. Cryo-scanning electron microscopy studies indicated that the presence of nematode eggs stimulates VCP1 production by P. chlamydosporia, but only where the two are in close contact. Overall, the results indicate that readily-metabolisable carbon sources and unfavourable pH in the rhizosphere/egg-mass environment may compromise nematode parasitism by P. chlamydosporia. However, contrary to previous indications using other nematophagous and entomopathogenic fungi, ammonium nitrate (e.g. from fertilizers) may enhance biocontrol potential in some circumstances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elaine Ward
- Plant Pathology and Microbiology Department, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Herts, United Kingdom.
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50
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KOBMOO N, MONGKOLSAMRIT S, TASANATHAI K, THANAKITPIPATTANA D, LUANGSA-ARD JJ. Molecular phylogenies reveal host-specific divergence ofOphiocordyceps unilateralis sensu latofollowing its host ants. Mol Ecol 2012; 21:3022-31. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-294x.2012.05574.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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