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Zhang Q, Wei X, Fang W, Huang X, Zhang X. The secretory protein COA1 enables Metarhizium robertsii to evade insect immune recognition during cuticle penetration. Commun Biol 2024; 7:1220. [PMID: 39349686 PMCID: PMC11442803 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06827-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2024] [Accepted: 09/03/2024] [Indexed: 10/04/2024] Open
Abstract
The interplay between the insect immune system and entomopathogenic fungi during cuticle penetration is not yet fully understood. Here, we show that a secretory protein COA1 (coat of appressorium 1) from Metarhizium robertsii, an entomopathogenic fungus causing diseases in a wide range of insects, is required to avoid host immune recognition during cuticle penetration. COA1 is highly expressed on the cuticle and translocated to the cell surface, where it directly binds with and masks carbohydrates of the fungal cell wall to avoid provoking the host's intense immune response. Deletion of Coa1 results in a robust immune response, leading to a reduction in bacterial load in both the gut and hemocoel and ultimately attenuating fungal virulence. Our work reveals a novel cell surface protein indispensable for fungal pathogenicity via masking cell wall carbohydrates to avert a hypersensitive response from the host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiangqiang Zhang
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, 266101, Shandong, China
- Qingdao New Energy Shandong Laboratory, Qingdao, 266101, China
| | - Xuanlian Wei
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266101, Shandong, China
| | - Weiguo Fang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection, Institute of Microbiology, College of Life Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xuenian Huang
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, 266101, Shandong, China
- Qingdao New Energy Shandong Laboratory, Qingdao, 266101, China
| | - Xing Zhang
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266101, Shandong, China.
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Huang A, Rao J, Feng X, Li X, Xu T, Yao L. Breaking New Ground: Unraveling the USP1/ID3/E12/P21 Axis in Vascular Calcification. Transl Res 2024:S1931-5244(24)00170-1. [PMID: 39326697 DOI: 10.1016/j.trsl.2024.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2024] [Revised: 09/15/2024] [Accepted: 09/16/2024] [Indexed: 09/28/2024]
Abstract
Vascular calcification (VC) poses significant challenges in cardiovascular health. This study employs single-cell transcriptome sequencing to dissect cellular dynamics in this process. We identify distinct cell subgroups, notably in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), and observe differences between calcified atherosclerotic cores and adjacent regions. Further exploration reveals ID3 as a key gene regulating VSMC function. In vitro experiments demonstrate ID3's interaction with USP1 and E12, modulating cell proliferation and osteogenic differentiation. Animal models confirm the critical role of the USP1/ID3/E12/P21 axis in VC. This study sheds light on a novel regulatory mechanism, offering potential therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aoran Huang
- Department of Nephrology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110000, China
| | - Jianyun Rao
- Outpatient Management Office, Xiangyang No.1 People's Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Xiangyang 441000, China
| | - Xin Feng
- Department of Nephrology, Liaoning electric power central hospital, Shenyang 110000, China
| | - Xingru Li
- Department of Nephrology, Liaoning electric power central hospital, Shenyang 110000, China
| | - Tianhua Xu
- Department of Nephrology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110000, China.
| | - Li Yao
- Department of Nephrology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110000, China.
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3
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Lu Z, Zhu Q, Bai Y, Zhao X, Wang H, Peng X, Luo Z, Zhang Y. A fungal pathogen secretes a cell wall-associated β-N-acetylhexosaminidase that is co-expressed with chitinases to contribute to infection of insects. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2024; 80:4699-4713. [PMID: 38771009 DOI: 10.1002/ps.8185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND β-N-acetylhexosaminidases (HEXs) are widely distributed in fungi and involved in cell wall chitin metabolism and utilization of chitin-containing substrates. However, details of the fungal pathogens-derived HEXs in the interaction with their hosts remain limited. RESULTS An insect nutrients-induced β-N-acetylhexosaminidase, BbHex1, was identified from the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana, which was involved in cell wall modification and degradation of insect cuticle. BbHex1 was localized to cell wall and secreted, and displayed enzyme activity to degrade the chitinase-hydrolyzed product (GlcNAc)2. Disruption of BbHex1 resulted in a significant decrease in the level of cell wall chitin in the presence of insect nutrients and during infection of insects, with impaired ability to penetrate insect cuticle, accompanying downregulated cell wall metabolism-involved and cuticle-degrading chitinase genes. However, the opposite phenotypes were examined in the gene overexpression strain. Distinctly altered cell wall structures caused by BbHex1 mutation and overexpression led to the easy activation and evasion (respectively) of insect immune response during fungal infection. As a result, BbHex1 contributed to fungal virulence. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that promoters of some co-expressed chitinase genes with the BbHex1 promoter shared conserved transcription factors Skn7, Msn2 and Ste12, and CreA-binding motifs, implying co-regulation of those genes with BbHex1. CONCLUSION These data support a mechanism that the fungal pathogen specifically expresses BbHex1, which is co-expressed with chitinases to modify cell wall for evasion of insect immune recognition and to degrade insect cuticle, and contributes to the fungal virulence against insects. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuoyue Lu
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, Beibei Culture Collection of Chongqing Agricultural Microbiology, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiankuan Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, Beibei Culture Collection of Chongqing Agricultural Microbiology, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuting Bai
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, Beibei Culture Collection of Chongqing Agricultural Microbiology, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, Beibei Culture Collection of Chongqing Agricultural Microbiology, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
| | - Huifang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, Beibei Culture Collection of Chongqing Agricultural Microbiology, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinxin Peng
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, Beibei Culture Collection of Chongqing Agricultural Microbiology, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhibing Luo
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, Beibei Culture Collection of Chongqing Agricultural Microbiology, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yongjun Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, Beibei Culture Collection of Chongqing Agricultural Microbiology, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
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Deng J, Huang S, Kan Y, Song Y, Zhao X, Li N, Yao X, Luo Z, Zhang Y. A transcription factor-mediated regulatory network controls fungal pathogen colonization of insect body cavities. mBio 2024; 15:e0350423. [PMID: 38747587 PMCID: PMC11237471 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.03504-23] [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: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Successful host tissue colonization is crucial for fungal pathogens to cause mycosis and complete the infection cycle, in which fungal cells undergo a series of morphological transition-included cellular events to combat with hosts. However, many transcription factors (TFs) and their mediated networks regulating fungal pathogen colonization of host tissue are not well characterized. Here, a TF (BbHCR1)-mediated regulatory network was identified in an insect pathogenic fungus, Beauveria bassiana, that controlled insect hemocoel colonization. BbHCR1 was highly expressed in fungal cells after reaching insect hemocoel and controlled the yeast (in vivo blastospores)-to-hyphal morphological switch, evasion of immune defense response, and fungal virulence. Comparative analysis of RNA sequencing and chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing identified a core set of BbHCR1 target genes during hemocoel colonization, in which abaA and brlA were targeted to limit the rapid switch from blastospores to hyphae and fungal virulence. Two targets encoding hypothetical proteins, HP1 and HP2, were activated and repressed by BbHCR1, respectively, which acted as a virulence factor and repressor, respectively, suggesting that BbHCR1 activated virulence factors but repressed virulence repressors during the colonization of insect hemocoel. BbHCR1 tuned the expression of two dominant hemocoel colonization-involved metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters, which linked its regulatory role in evasion of immune response. Those functions of BbHCR1 were found to be collaboratively regulated by Fus3- and Hog1-MAP kinases via phosphorylation. These findings have drawn a regulatory network in which Fus3- and Hog1-MAP kinases phosphorylate BbHCR1, which in turn controls the colonization of insect body cavities by regulating fungal morphological transition and virulence-implicated genes.IMPORTANCEFungal pathogens adopt a series of tactics for successful colonization in host tissues, which include morphological transition and the generation of toxic and immunosuppressive molecules. However, many transcription factors (TFs) and their linked pathways that regulate tissue colonization are not well characterized. Here, we identified a TF (BbHCR1)-mediated regulatory network that controls the insect fungal pathogen, Beauveria bassiana, colonization of insect hemocoel. During these processes, BbHCR1 targeted the fungal central development pathway for the control of yeast (blastospores)-to-hyphae morphological transition, activated virulence factors, repressed virulence repressors, and tuned the expression of two dominant hemocoel colonization-involved immunosuppressive and immunostimulatory metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters. The BbHCR1 regulatory function was governed by Fus3- and Hog1-MAP kinases. These findings led to a new regulatory network composed of Fus3- and Hog1-MAP kinases and BbHCR1 that control insect body cavity colonization by regulating fungal morphological transition and virulence-implicated genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Deng
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Beibei Culture Collection of Chongqing Agricultural Microbiology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Shuaishuai Huang
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Beibei Culture Collection of Chongqing Agricultural Microbiology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Eco-Environmental Protection of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, School of Ecology and Environment, Tibet University, Tibet, China
| | - Yanze Kan
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Beibei Culture Collection of Chongqing Agricultural Microbiology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yue Song
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Beibei Culture Collection of Chongqing Agricultural Microbiology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xin Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Beibei Culture Collection of Chongqing Agricultural Microbiology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ning Li
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Beibei Culture Collection of Chongqing Agricultural Microbiology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xuewen Yao
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Beibei Culture Collection of Chongqing Agricultural Microbiology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhibing Luo
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Beibei Culture Collection of Chongqing Agricultural Microbiology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yongjun Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Beibei Culture Collection of Chongqing Agricultural Microbiology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
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Zhu C, Sun J, Tian F, Tian X, Liu Q, Pan Y, Zhang Y, Luo Z. The Bbotf1 Zn(Ⅱ) 2Cys 6 transcription factor contributes to antioxidant response, fatty acid assimilation, peroxisome proliferation and infection cycles in insect pathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana. J Invertebr Pathol 2024; 204:108083. [PMID: 38458350 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2024.108083] [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: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024]
Abstract
The abilities to withstand oxidation and assimilate fatty acids are critical for successful infection by many pathogenic fungi. Here, we characterized a Zn(II)2Cys6 transcription factor Bbotf1 in the insect pathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana, which links oxidative response and fatty acid assimilation via regulating peroxisome proliferation. The null mutant ΔBbotf1 showed impaired resistance to oxidants, accompanied by decreased activities of antioxidant enzymes including CATs, PODs and SODs, and down-regulated expression of many antioxidation-associated genes under oxidative stress condition. Meanwhile, Bbotf1 acts as an activator to regulate fatty acid assimilation, lipid and iron homeostasis as well as peroxisome proliferation and localization, and the expressions of some critical genes related to glyoxylate cycle and peroxins were down-regulated in ΔBbotf1 in presence of oleic acid. In addition, ΔBbotf1 was more sensitive to osmotic stressors, CFW, SDS and LDS. Insect bioassays revealed that insignificant changes in virulence were seen between the null mutant and parent strain when conidia produced on CZP plates were used for topical application. However, propagules recovered from cadavers killed by ΔBbotf1 exhibited impaired virulence as compared with counterparts of the parent strain. These data offer a novel insight into fine-tuned aspects of Bbotf1 concerning multi-stress responses, lipid catabolism and infection cycles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenhua Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Jingxin Sun
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Fangfang Tian
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Xinting Tian
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Qi Liu
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Yunxia Pan
- College of Engineering and Technology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Yongjun Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Zhibing Luo
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China.
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6
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Zhang BX, Liu FF, Liu F, Qi WX, Si YQ, Ren HY, Zhang CQ, Rao XJ. The fungal protease BbAorsin contributes to growth, conidiation, germination, virulence, and antiphytopathogenic activities in Beauveria bassiana (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae). PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 202:105936. [PMID: 38879328 DOI: 10.1016/j.pestbp.2024.105936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2024] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is one of the most destructive agricultural pests. The entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae) is a biopesticide widely used for biocontrol of various pests. Secreted fungal proteases are critical for insect cuticle destruction and successful infection. We have previously shown that the serine protease BbAorsin in B. bassiana has entomopathogenic and antiphytopathogenic activities. However, the contribution of BbAorsin to fungal growth, conidiation, germination, virulence and antiphytopathogenic activities remains unclear. In this study, the deletion (ΔBbAorsin), complementation (Comp), and overexpression (BbAorsinOE) strains of B. bassiana were generated for comparative studies. The results showed that ΔBbAorsin exhibited slower growth, reduced conidiation, lower germination rate, and longer germination time compared to WT and Comp. In contrast, BbAorsinOE showed higher growth rate, increased conidiation, higher germination rate and shorter germination time. Injection of BbAorsinOE showed the highest virulence against S. frugiperda larvae, while injection of ΔBbAorsin showed the lowest virulence. Feeding BbAorsinOE resulted in lower pupation and adult eclosion rates and malformed adults. 16S rRNA sequencing revealed no changes in the gut microbiota after feeding either WT or BbAorsinOE. However, BbAorsinOE caused a disrupted midgut, leakage of gut microbiota into the hemolymph, and upregulation of apoptosis and immunity-related genes. BbAorsin can disrupt the cell wall of the phytopathogen Fusarium graminearum and alleviate symptoms in wheat seedlings and cherry tomatoes infected with F. graminearum. These results highlight the importance of BbAorsin for B. bassiana and its potential as a multifunctional biopesticide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bang-Xian Zhang
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops, School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China; Key Laboratory of Agri-products Quality and Biosafety (Anhui Agricultural University), Ministry of Education, China; Department of Scientific Research, Chuzhou University, Chuzhou 239000, China
| | - Fang-Fang Liu
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops, School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China; Key Laboratory of Agri-products Quality and Biosafety (Anhui Agricultural University), Ministry of Education, China
| | - Feng Liu
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops, School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China; Key Laboratory of Agri-products Quality and Biosafety (Anhui Agricultural University), Ministry of Education, China
| | - Wen-Xuan Qi
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops, School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China; Key Laboratory of Agri-products Quality and Biosafety (Anhui Agricultural University), Ministry of Education, China
| | - Yan-Qin Si
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops, School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China; Key Laboratory of Agri-products Quality and Biosafety (Anhui Agricultural University), Ministry of Education, China
| | - Hai-Yan Ren
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops, School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China; Key Laboratory of Agri-products Quality and Biosafety (Anhui Agricultural University), Ministry of Education, China
| | - Cheng-Qi Zhang
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops, School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China; Key Laboratory of Agri-products Quality and Biosafety (Anhui Agricultural University), Ministry of Education, China
| | - Xiang-Jun Rao
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops, School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China; Key Laboratory of Agri-products Quality and Biosafety (Anhui Agricultural University), Ministry of Education, China.
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Zhang BX, Liu FF, Liu F, Qi WX, Si YQ, Ren HY, Rao XJ. SfMBP: A novel microbial binding protein and pattern recognition receptor in the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2024; 154:105142. [PMID: 38309673 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2024.105142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/05/2024]
Abstract
The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, poses a significant threat as a highly destructive agricultural pest in many countries. Understanding the complex interplay between the insect immune system and entomopathogens is critical for optimizing biopesticide efficacy. In this study, we identified a novel microbial binding protein, SfMBP, in S. frugiperda. However, the specific role of SfMBP in the immune response of S. frugiperda remains elusive. Encoded by the LOC118269163 gene, SfMBP shows significant induction in S. frugiperda larvae infected with the entomopathogen Beauveria bassiana. Consisting of 115 amino acids with a signal peptide, an N-terminal flexible region and a C-terminal β-sheet, SfMBP lacks any known functional domains. It is expressed predominantly during early larval stages and in the larval epidermis. Notably, SfMBP is significantly induced in larvae infected with bacteria and fungi and in SF9 cells stimulated by peptidoglycan. While recombinant SfMBP (rSfMBP) does not inhibit bacterial growth, it demonstrates binding capabilities to bacteria, fungal spores, peptidoglycan, lipopolysaccharides, and polysaccharides. This binding is inhibited by monosaccharides and EDTA. Molecular docking reveals potential Zn2+-interacting residues and three cavities. Furthermore, rSfMBP induces bacterial agglutination in the presence of Zn2+. It also binds to insect hemocytes and SF9 cells, enhancing phagocytosis and agglutination responses. Injection of rSfMBP increased the survival of S. frugiperda larvae infected with B. bassiana, whereas blocking SfMBP with the antibody decreased survival. These results suggest that SfMBP acts as a pattern recognition receptor that enhances pathogen recognition and cellular immune responses. Consequently, this study provides valuable insights for the development of pest control measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bang-Xian Zhang
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops, School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China; Key Laboratory of Agri-products Quality and Biosafety (Anhui Agricultural University), Ministry of Education, China; School of Biological Science and Food Engineering, Chuzhou, 239000, China
| | - Fang-Fang Liu
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops, School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China; Key Laboratory of Agri-products Quality and Biosafety (Anhui Agricultural University), Ministry of Education, China
| | - Feng Liu
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops, School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China; Key Laboratory of Agri-products Quality and Biosafety (Anhui Agricultural University), Ministry of Education, China
| | - Wen-Xuan Qi
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops, School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China; Key Laboratory of Agri-products Quality and Biosafety (Anhui Agricultural University), Ministry of Education, China
| | - Yan-Qin Si
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops, School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China; Key Laboratory of Agri-products Quality and Biosafety (Anhui Agricultural University), Ministry of Education, China
| | - Hai-Yan Ren
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops, School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China; Key Laboratory of Agri-products Quality and Biosafety (Anhui Agricultural University), Ministry of Education, China
| | - Xiang-Jun Rao
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops, School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China; Key Laboratory of Agri-products Quality and Biosafety (Anhui Agricultural University), Ministry of Education, China.
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8
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Kan Y, He Z, Keyhani NO, Li N, Huang S, Zhao X, Liu P, Zeng F, Li M, Luo Z, Zhang Y. A network of transcription factors in complex with a regulating cell cycle cyclin orchestrates fungal oxidative stress responses. BMC Biol 2024; 22:81. [PMID: 38609978 PMCID: PMC11015564 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-024-01884-3] [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: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Response to oxidative stress is universal in almost all organisms and the mitochondrial membrane protein, BbOhmm, negatively affects oxidative stress responses and virulence in the insect fungal pathogen, Beauveria bassiana. Nothing further, however, is known concerning how BbOhmm and this phenomenon is regulated. RESULTS Three oxidative stress response regulating Zn2Cys6 transcription factors (BbOsrR1, 2, and 3) were identified and verified via chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)-qPCR analysis as binding to the BbOhmm promoter region, with BbOsrR2 showing the strongest binding. Targeted gene knockout of BbOsrR1 or BbOsrR3 led to decreased BbOhmm expression and consequently increased tolerances to free radical generating compounds (H2O2 and menadione), whereas the ΔBbOsrR2 strain showed increased BbOhmm expression with concomitant decreased tolerances to these compounds. RNA and ChIP sequencing analysis revealed that BbOsrR1 directly regulated a wide range of antioxidation and transcription-associated genes, negatively affecting the expression of the BbClp1 cyclin and BbOsrR2. BbClp1 was shown to localize to the cell nucleus and negatively mediate oxidative stress responses. BbOsrR2 and BbOsrR3 were shown to feed into the Fus3-MAPK pathway in addition to regulating antioxidation and detoxification genes. Binding motifs for the three transcription factors were found to partially overlap in the promoter region of BbOhmm and other target genes. Whereas BbOsrR1 appeared to function independently, co-immunoprecipitation revealed complex formation between BbClp1, BbOsrR2, and BbOsrR3, with BbClp1 partially regulating BbOsrR2 phosphorylation. CONCLUSIONS These findings reveal a regulatory network mediated by BbOsrR1 and the formation of a BbClp1-BbOsrR2-BbOsrR3 complex that orchestrates fungal oxidative stress responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanze Kan
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, Beibei Culture Collection of Chongqing Agricultural Microbiology, Chongqing, 400715, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhangjiang He
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, Beibei Culture Collection of Chongqing Agricultural Microbiology, Chongqing, 400715, People's Republic of China
- Biochemical Engineering Center of Guizhou Province, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 50025, People's Republic of China
| | - Nemat O Keyhani
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL, 60607, USA
| | - Ning Li
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, Beibei Culture Collection of Chongqing Agricultural Microbiology, Chongqing, 400715, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuaishuai Huang
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, Beibei Culture Collection of Chongqing Agricultural Microbiology, Chongqing, 400715, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, Beibei Culture Collection of Chongqing Agricultural Microbiology, Chongqing, 400715, People's Republic of China
| | - Pengfei Liu
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, Beibei Culture Collection of Chongqing Agricultural Microbiology, Chongqing, 400715, People's Republic of China
| | - Fanqin Zeng
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, Beibei Culture Collection of Chongqing Agricultural Microbiology, Chongqing, 400715, People's Republic of China
| | - Min Li
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, Beibei Culture Collection of Chongqing Agricultural Microbiology, Chongqing, 400715, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhibing Luo
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, Beibei Culture Collection of Chongqing Agricultural Microbiology, Chongqing, 400715, People's Republic of China
| | - Yongjun Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, People's Republic of China.
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, Beibei Culture Collection of Chongqing Agricultural Microbiology, Chongqing, 400715, People's Republic of China.
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9
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Westrick NM, Dominguez EG, Bondy M, Hull CM, Smith DL, Kabbage M. A single laccase acts as a key component of environmental sensing in a broad host range fungal pathogen. Commun Biol 2024; 7:348. [PMID: 38514801 PMCID: PMC10957995 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06034-7] [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: 11/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Secreted laccases are important enzymes on a broad ecological scale for their role in mediating plant-microbe interactions, but within ascomycete fungi these enzymes have been primarily associated with melanin biosynthesis. In this study, a putatively secreted laccase, Sslac2, was characterized from the broad-host-range plant pathogen Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, which is largely unpigmented and is not dependent on melanogenesis for plant infection. Gene knockouts of Sslac2 demonstrate wide ranging developmental phenotypes and are functionally non-pathogenic. These mutants also displayed indiscriminate growth behaviors and enhanced biomass formation, seemingly as a result of their inability to respond to canonical environmental growth cues, a phenomenon further confirmed through chemical stress, physiological, and transcriptomic analyses. Transmission and scanning electron microscopy demonstrate apparent differences in extracellular matrix structure between WT and mutant strains that likely explain the inability of the mutants to respond to their environment. Targeting Sslac2 using host-induced gene silencing significantly improved resistance to S. sclerotiorum, suggesting that fungal laccases could be a valuable target of disease control. Collectively, we identified a laccase critical to the development and virulence of the broad-host-range pathogen S. sclerotiorum and propose a potentially novel role for fungal laccases in modulating environmental sensing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathaniel M Westrick
- Valley Laboratory, Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, Windsor, CT, USA
| | - Eddie G Dominguez
- Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Madeline Bondy
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Christina M Hull
- Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Damon L Smith
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Mehdi Kabbage
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
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10
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Hong S, Shang J, Sun Y, Tang G, Wang C. Fungal infection of insects: molecular insights and prospects. Trends Microbiol 2024; 32:302-316. [PMID: 37778923 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2023.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 08/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) distribute in different fungal phyla with variable host ranges and play essential role in regulating insect populations by infecting hosts via cuticle penetration. The representative ascomycete EPF of Metarhizium and Beauveria species have been widely used in mechanistic investigations of fungus-insect interactions and as ecofriendly mycoinsecticides. Here, we review the function of diverse genes, pathways, and secondary metabolites associated with EPF stepwise infections. In particular, emerging evidence has shown that EPF have to outcompete insect ectomicrobiotas prior to penetrating cuticles, and subvert or evade host antifungal immunity by using effector-like proteins and chemicals like plant pathogens. Future prospects are discussed for a better understanding of fungal pathobiology, which will provide novel insights into microbe-animal interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Song Hong
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Junmei Shang
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yaneli Sun
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Guirong Tang
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Chengshu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China.
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11
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Zhang W, Chen X, Eleftherianos I, Mohamed A, Bastin A, Keyhani NO. Cross-talk between immunity and behavior: insights from entomopathogenic fungi and their insect hosts. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2024; 48:fuae003. [PMID: 38341280 PMCID: PMC10883697 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuae003] [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: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Insects are one of the most successful animals in nature, and entomopathogenic fungi play a significant role in the natural epizootic control of insect populations in many ecosystems. The interaction between insects and entomopathogenic fungi has continuously coevolved over hundreds of millions of years. Many components of the insect innate immune responses against fungal infection are conserved across phyla. Additionally, behavioral responses, which include avoidance, grooming, and/or modulation of body temperature, have been recognized as important mechanisms for opposing fungal pathogens. In an effort to investigate possible cross-talk and mediating mechanisms between these fundamental biological processes, recent studies have integrated and/or explored immune and behavioral responses. Current information indicates that during discrete stages of fungal infection, several insect behavioral and immune responses are altered simultaneously, suggesting important connections between the two systems. This review synthesizes recent advances in our understanding of the physiological and molecular aspects influencing cross-talk between behavioral and innate immune antifungal reactions, including chemical perception and olfactory pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zhang
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), Guizhou University, Guiyang, Huaxi District 550025, China
| | - Xuanyu Chen
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), Guizhou University, Guiyang, Huaxi District 550025, China
| | - Ioannis Eleftherianos
- Department of Biological Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, United States
| | - Amr Mohamed
- Department of Entomology, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza 12613, Egypt
- Research fellow, King Saud University Museum of Arthropods, Plant Protection Department, College of Food and Agricultural Sciences, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ashley Bastin
- Department of Biological Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, United States
| | - Nemat O Keyhani
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
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12
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Ma M, Luo J, Li C, Eleftherianos I, Zhang W, Xu L. A life-and-death struggle: interaction of insects with entomopathogenic fungi across various infection stages. Front Immunol 2024; 14:1329843. [PMID: 38259477 PMCID: PMC10800808 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1329843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Insects constitute approximately 75% of the world's recognized fauna, with the majority of species considered as pests. Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) are parasitic microorganisms capable of efficiently infecting insects, rendering them potent biopesticides. In response to infections, insects have evolved diverse defense mechanisms, prompting EPF to develop a variety of strategies to overcome or circumvent host defenses. While the interaction mechanisms between EPF and insects is well established, recent findings underscore that their interplay is more intricate than previously thought, especially evident across different stages of EPF infection. This review primarily focuses on the interplay between EPF and the insect defense strategies, centered around three infection stages: (1) Early infection stage: involving the pre-contact detection and avoidance behavior of EPF in insects, along with the induction of behavioral responses upon contact with the host cuticle; (2) Penetration and intra-hemolymph growth stage: involving the initiation of intricate cellular and humoral immune functions in insects, while symbiotic microbes can further contribute to host resistance; (3) Host insect's death stage: involving the ultimate confrontation between pathogens and insects. Infected insects strive to separate themselves from the healthy population, while pathogens rely on the infected insects to spread to new hosts. Also, we discuss a novel pest management strategy underlying the cooperation between EPF infection and disturbing the insect immune system. By enhancing our understanding of the intricate interplay between EPF and the insect, this review provides novel perspectives for EPF-mediated pest management and developing effective fungal insecticides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meiqi Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jing Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, China
| | - Chong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, China
| | - Ioannis Eleftherianos
- Infection and Innate Immunity Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Wei Zhang
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
| | - Letian Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, China
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13
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Huang S, Zhao X, Luo Z, Tang X, Zhou Y, Keyhani N, Zhang Y. Fungal co-expression network analyses identify pathogen gene modules associated with host insect invasion. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0180923. [PMID: 37656157 PMCID: PMC10581046 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01809-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The broad host range fungal insect pathogen, Beauveria bassiana, has been commercialized as an alternative to chemical insecticides for pest control worldwide. B. bassiana represents a unique model system with which to examine host-pathogen interactions, and a wide range of genes and processes have been studied. However, significant aspects of virulence, particularly on the genomic scale, remain poorly studied. Here, we have combined available transcriptomes with three newly generated data sets for a combined total analysis of 76 deep-sequenced samples covering growth, development, stress responses, and infection during the life cycle of B. bassiana. Co-expression network analyses resulted in the identification of gene modules enriched during two critical stages of the infection process, namely (i) cuticle penetration and (ii) in vivo hyphal body (dimorphic transition) growth capable of avoiding innate and humoral immune defenses. These analyses identify unique signatures of metabolism, signaling, secondary metabolite production, host defense suppression, membrane reorganization, effector production, and secretion for each stage, including genetic regulators and epigenetic patterns. These data provide a comprehensive framework for understanding and probing fungal adaptations to its pathogenic life cycle and expand the candidate repertoire for continued dissection of the host-pathogen interaction. IMPORTANCE Insect fungal pathogens have evolved unique strategies for overcoming host structural and immunological defenses that span from the sclerotized cuticle to innate and humoral cellular responses. Two critical stages of the infection process involve (i) cuticle penetration and (ii) immune evasion within the insect hemocoel. A set of 76 global transcriptomic data for B. bassiana that include the cuticle penetration and hemocoel growth stages were analyzed for patterns (gene modules) of expression, yielding unique insights into these different life stages. These analyses integrate gene networks involved in fungal development, stress response and pathogenesis to further the systematic understanding of the global processes integral to the unique adaptation employed by fungal pathogens of insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuaishuai Huang
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Environment on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (Ministry of Education), School of Ecology and Environment, Tibet University, Tibet, China
| | - Xin Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhibing Luo
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiaohan Tang
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yonghong Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Environment on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (Ministry of Education), School of Ecology and Environment, Tibet University, Tibet, China
| | - Nemat Keyhani
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Illinois, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Yongjun Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
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14
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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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15
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Zhao X, He Z, Gao Y, Kan Y, Jiao Y, Liu Y, Huang S, Luo Z, Zhang Y. Sterol Regulatory Element-Binding Protein, BbSre1, Controls Oxidative Stress Response, Peroxisome Division, and Lipid Homeostasis in an Insect Fungal Pathogen. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2023; 71:12250-12263. [PMID: 37493643 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.3c02568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/27/2023]
Abstract
Sterol regulatory element-binding protein, Sre1, regulates sterol biosynthesis, lipid metabolism, hypoxia adaptation, and virulence in some fungi, even though its roles are varied in fungal species. However, few studies report its other functions in fungi. Here, we report novel roles of Sre1 homolog, BbSre1, in the insect fungal pathogen, Beauveria bassiana, that regulates oxidative stress response, peroxisome division, and redox homeostasis. The gene disruption stain showed increased sensitivity to oxidative stress, which was in line with oxidative stress-induced-BbSre1 nuclear import and control of antioxidant and detoxification-involved genes. The gene mutation also inhibited peroxisome division, affected redox homeostasis, and impaired lipid/fatty acid metabolism and sterol biosynthesis, which was verified by downregulation of their associated genes. These data broaden our understanding of role of Sre1, which regulates peroxisome division, antioxidant, and detoxification-involved genes for control of redox homeostasis and oxidative stress response that links to lipid/fatty acid metabolism and sterol biosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, P. R. China
| | - Zhangjiang He
- Biochemical Engineering Center of Guizhou Province, Guizhou University, Guiyang 50025, China
| | - Yifei Gao
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, P. R. China
| | - Yanze Kan
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, P. R. China
| | - Yufei Jiao
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, P. R. China
| | - Yunxia Liu
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, P. R. China
| | - Shuaishuai Huang
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, P. R. China
| | - Zhibing Luo
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, P. R. China
| | - Yongjun Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, P. R. China
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16
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Wang H, Lu Z, Keyhani NO, Deng J, Zhao X, Huang S, Luo Z, Jin K, Zhang Y. Insect fungal pathogens secrete a cell wall-associated glucanase that acts to help avoid recognition by the host immune system. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011578. [PMID: 37556475 PMCID: PMC10441804 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Fungal insect pathogens have evolved diverse mechanisms to evade host immune recognition and defense responses. However, identification of fungal factors involved in host immune evasion during cuticular penetration and subsequent hemocoel colonization remains limited. Here, we report that the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana expresses an endo-β-1,3-glucanase (BbEng1) that functions in helping cells evade insect immune recognition/ responses. BbEng1 was specifically expressed during infection, in response to host cuticle and hemolymph, and in the presence of osmotic or oxidative stress. BbEng1 was localized to the fungal cell surface/ cell wall, where it acts to remodel the cell wall pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) that can trigger host defenses, thus facilitating fungal cell evasion of host immune defenses. BbEng1 was secreted where it could bind to fungal cells. Cell wall β-1,3-glucan levels were unchanged in ΔBbEng1 cells derived from in vitro growth media, but was elevated in hyphal bodies, whereas glucan levels were reduced in most cell types derived from the BbEng1 overexpressing strain (BbEng1OE). The BbEng1OE strain proliferated more rapidly in the host hemocoel and displayed higher virulence as compared to the wild type parent. Overexpression of their respective Eng1 homologs or of BbEng1 in the insect fungal pathogens, Metarhizium robertsii and M. acridum also resulted in increased virulence. Our data support a mechanism by which BbEng1 helps the fungal pathogen to evade host immune surveillance by decreasing cell wall glucan PAMPs, promoting successful fungal mycosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huifang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhuoyue Lu
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Nemat O. Keyhani
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Illinois, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Juan Deng
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xin Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shuaishuai Huang
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhibing Luo
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Kai Jin
- Genetic Engineering Research Center, School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yongjun Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China
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Zhao X, Jiang Y, Wang H, Lu Z, Huang S, Luo Z, Zhang L, Lv T, Tang X, Zhang Y. Fus3/Kss1-MAP kinase and Ste12-like control distinct biocontrol-traits besides regulation of insect cuticle penetration via phosphorylation cascade in a filamentous fungal pathogen. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2023; 79:2611-2624. [PMID: 36890107 DOI: 10.1002/ps.7446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Homolog of the yeast Fus3/Kss1 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway and its target transcription factor, Ste12-like, are involved in penetration of host cuticle/pathogenicity in many ascomycete pathogens. However, details of their interaction during fungal infection, as well as their controlled other virulence-associated traits, are unclear. RESULTS Ste12-like (BbSte12) and Fus3/Kss1 MAPK homolog (Bbmpk1) interacted in nucleus, and phosphorylation of BbSte12 by Bbmpk1 was essential for penetration of insect cuticle in an insect fungal pathogen, Beauveria bassiana. However, some distinct biocontrol-traits were found to be mediated by Ste12 and Bbmpk1. In contrast to ΔBbmpk1 colony that grew more rapid than wild-type strain, inactivation of BbSte12 resulted in the opposite phenotype, which was consistent with their different proliferation rates in insect hemocoel after direct injection of conidia bypass the cuticle. Reduced conidial yield with decreased hydrophobicity was examined in both mutants, however they displayed distinct conidiogenesis, accompanying with differently altered cell cycle, distinct hyphal branching and septum formation. Moreover, ΔBbmpk1 showed increased tolerance to oxidative agent, whereas the opposite phenotype was seen for ΔBbSte12 strain. RNA sequencing analysis revealed that Bbmpk1 controlled 356 genes depending on BbSte12 during cuticle penetration, but 1077 and 584 genes were independently controlled by Bbmpk1 and BbSte12. CONCLUSION BbSte12 and Bbmpk1 separately participate in additional pathways for control of conidiation, growth and hyphal differentiation, as well as oxidative stress response besides regulating cuticle penetration via phosphorylation cascade. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Zhao
- Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Biotechnology Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, P. R. China
| | - Yahui Jiang
- Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Biotechnology Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, P. R. China
| | - Huifang Wang
- Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Biotechnology Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, P. R. China
| | - Zhuoyue Lu
- Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Biotechnology Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, P. R. China
| | - Shuaishuai Huang
- Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Biotechnology Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, P. R. China
| | - Zhibing Luo
- Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Biotechnology Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, P. R. China
| | - Liuyi Zhang
- Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Biotechnology Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, P. R. China
| | - Ting Lv
- Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Biotechnology Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, P. R. China
| | - Xiaohan Tang
- Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Biotechnology Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, P. R. China
| | - Yongjun Zhang
- Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Biotechnology Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, P. R. China
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18
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Yue Y, Deng J, Wang H, Lv T, Dou W, Jiao Y, Peng X, Zhang Y. Two Secretory T2 RNases Act as Cytotoxic Factors Contributing to the Virulence of an Insect Fungal Pathogen. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2023; 71:7069-7081. [PMID: 37122240 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.3c01617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
RNase T2 members are secreted by several pathogens or parasites during infection, playing various roles in pathogen-host interaction. However, functions of those members in biocontrol microbes targeting their hosts are still unknown. Here, we report that an insect fungal pathogen, Beauveria bassiana, produces two secretory RNase T2 members that act as cytotoxic factors, which were examined by insect bioassays using the targeted gene(s) disruption and overexpression strains. Overexpression strains displayed dramatically increased virulence, which was concurrent with few fungal cells and hemocytes in hemocoel, suggesting a cytotoxicity of the overexpressed gene products. In vitro assays using yeast-expressed proteins verified the cytotoxicity of the two members against insect cells, to which the cytotoxic effect was dependent on their RNases enzyme activities and glycosylation modification. Moreover, the excessive humoral immune responses triggered by the two ribonucleases were examined. These results suggested prospects of these two T2 ribonucleases for improvement of biocontrol agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Yue
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), Biotechnology Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, People's Republic of China
| | - Juan Deng
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), Biotechnology Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, People's Republic of China
| | - Huifang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), Biotechnology Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, People's Republic of China
| | - Ting Lv
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), Biotechnology Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Dou
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), Biotechnology Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, People's Republic of China
| | - Yufei Jiao
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), Biotechnology Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinxin Peng
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), Biotechnology Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, People's Republic of China
| | - Yongjun Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), Biotechnology Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, People's Republic of China
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19
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Luo Z, Chen Q, Su Y, Hu S, Keyhani NO, Wang J, Zhu C, Zhou T, Pan Y, Bidochka MJ, Zhang Y. The AreA Nitrogen Catabolite Repression Activator Balances Fungal Nutrient Utilization and Virulence in the Insect Fungal Pathogen Beauveria bassiana. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2023; 71:646-659. [PMID: 36584226 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.2c07047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
In many fungi, the AreA GATA-type transcription factor mediates nitrogen catabolite repression affecting fungal development and, where applicable, virulence. Here, we investigated the functions of AreA in the fungal entomopathogen and plant endophyte Beauveria bassiana using knockdown of gene expression. The antiAreA mutants were impaired in nitrogen utilization and showed increased sensitivities to osmotic stressors but increased tolerances to oxidative/hypoxia stresses. Repression of BbAreA caused overall minimal effects on fungal virulence. The minor effects on virulence appeared to be due in part to competing secondary effects where host defense phenoloxidase activity was significantly decreased, but production of the fungal metabolite oosporein was increased and hyphal body development was impaired. Knockdown of BbAreA expression also resulted in impairment in ability of the fungus to associate with host plants. These data implicate that BbAreA likely acts as a regulator to balance fungal nutrient utilization, pathogenicity, and mutualism, facilitating the fungal occupation of host niches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhibing Luo
- Biotechnology Research Center, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, P. R. China
| | - Qiyan Chen
- Biotechnology Research Center, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, P. R. China
| | - Yufeng Su
- Biotechnology Research Center, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, P. R. China
| | - Shasha Hu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario L2S 3A1, Canada
| | - Nemat O Keyhani
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
| | - Junyao Wang
- Biotechnology Research Center, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, P. R. China
| | - Chenhua Zhu
- Biotechnology Research Center, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, P. R. China
| | - Teng Zhou
- Biotechnology Research Center, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, P. R. China
| | - Yunxia Pan
- College of Engineering and Technology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, P. R. China
| | - Michael J Bidochka
- Department of Biological Sciences, Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario L2S 3A1, Canada
| | - Yongjun Zhang
- Biotechnology Research Center, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, P. R. China
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20
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Litwin A, Mironenka J, Bernat P, Soboń A, Różalska S. Accumulation of pyrethroids induces changes in metabolism of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana-Proteomic and lipidomic background. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2023; 249:114418. [PMID: 36527849 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2022.114418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Advances in the agrochemical industry, such as using plant protection products e.g. pyrethroid insecticides, lead to environmental pollution via the accumulation of toxic compounds in soil. An interesting approach to overcoming this threat is using biopreparations based on entomopathogenic fungi that come into contact with the residues of the insecticides in the environment. The aim of this study was to determine whether the soil-dwelling entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana ARSEF 2860 is capable of accumulating pyrethroids (λ-cyhalothrin, α-cypermethrin and deltamethrin) and to identify the metabolomics and proteomic implications of this process. In this work, we demonstrated for the first time that the tested fungus accumulated pyrethroids as early as on day 2 of incubation with an average efficiency of 90%. Pyrethroids accumulated in large quantities in the mycelium of B. bassiana induced oxidative stress and interacted differently with the enzymes of the basic metabolic pathways, enzymes associated with the organization of the actin cytoskeleton and cell walls, as well as extracellular enzymes responsible for the infectious abilities (α-cypermethrin caused a 61% decrease in PR1, λ-cyhalothrin - a 31% decrease in PR2, which are proteolytic enzymes with a confirmed role in the infectious process). This study also revealed that the accumulated pyrethroids decreased the activity of phospholipase C, which increased the triacylglycerols/diacylglycerols (TAG/DAG) ratio, especially in mycelium in which α-cypermethrin was accumulated. It should be emphasized that the accumulation of pyrethroids in the environment is not fully understood, and current research suggests that entomopathogenic fungi may be part of the process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Litwin
- Department of Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology, Institute of Microbiology, Biotechnology and Immunology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Banacha 12/16, 90-237 Lodz, Poland.
| | | | - Przemysław Bernat
- Department of Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology, Institute of Microbiology, Biotechnology and Immunology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Banacha 12/16, 90-237 Lodz, Poland.
| | | | - Sylwia Różalska
- Department of Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology, Institute of Microbiology, Biotechnology and Immunology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Banacha 12/16, 90-237 Lodz, Poland.
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21
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Smith DFQ, Dragotakes Q, Kulkarni M, Hardwick JM, Casadevall A. Galleria mellonella immune melanization is fungicidal during infection. Commun Biol 2022; 5:1364. [PMID: 36510005 PMCID: PMC9744840 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-04340-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
A key component of the insect immune response is melanin production, including within nodules, or aggregations of immune cells surrounding microbes. Melanization produces oxidative and toxic intermediates that limit microbial infections. However, a direct fungicidal role of melanin during infection has not been demonstrated. We previously reported that the fungus Cryptococcus neoformans is encapsulated with melanin within nodules of Galleria mellonella hosts. Here we developed techniques to study melanin's role during C. neoformans infection in G. mellonella. We provided evidence that in vivo melanin-encapsulation was fungicidal. To further study immune melanization, we applied tissue-clearing techniques to visualize melanized nodules in situ throughout the larvae. Further, we developed a time-lapse microscopy protocol to visualize the melanization kinetics in extracted hemolymph following fungal exposure. Using this technique, we found that cryptococcal melanin and laccase enhance immune melanization. We extended this approach to study the fungal pathogens Candida albicans and Candida auris. We find that the yeast morphologies of these fungi elicited robust melanization responses, while hyphal and pseudohyphal morphologies were melanin-evasive. Approximately 23% of melanin-encapsulated C. albicans yeast can survive and breakthrough the encapsulation. Overall, our results provide direct evidence that immune melanization functions as a direct antifungal mechanism in G. mellonella.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel F Q Smith
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Quigly Dragotakes
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Madhura Kulkarni
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - J Marie Hardwick
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Arturo Casadevall
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
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22
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Deng J, Lu Z, Wang H, Li N, Song G, Zhu Q, Sun J, Zhang Y. A secretory phospholipase A2 of a fungal pathogen contributes to lipid droplet homeostasis, assimilation of insect-derived lipids, and repression of host immune responses. INSECT SCIENCE 2022; 29:1685-1702. [PMID: 35276754 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.13029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Secretory phospholipase A2s (sPLA2s) are found in a wide range of organisms from bacteria to higher plants and animals and are involved in varied and cellular processes. However, roles of these enzymes in microbial pathogens remain unclear. Here, an sPLA2 (BbPLA2) was characterized in the filamentous insect pathogenic fungus, Beauveria bassiana. BbPLA2 was exclusively expressed in insect hemolymph-derived cells (hyphal bodies), and its expression was induced by insect-derived nutrients and lipids, and nutrient starvation. High levels of secretion of BbPLA2 were observed as well as its distribution in hyphal body lipid drops (LDs). Overexpression of BbPLA2 increased the ability of B. bassiana to utilize insect-derived nutrients and lipids, and promoted LD accumulation, indicating functions for BbPLA2 in mediating LD homeostasis and assimilation of insect-derived lipids. Strains overexpressing BbPLA2 showed moderately increased virulence, including more efficient penetration of the insect cuticle and evasion of host immune responses as compared to the wild type strain. In addition, B. bassiana-activated host immune genes were downregulated in the BbPLA2 overexpression strain, but upregulated by infections with a ΔBbPLA2 strain. These data demonstrate that BbPLA2 contributes to LD homeostasis, assimilation of insect-derived lipids, and repression of host immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Deng
- Biotechnology Research Center, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhuoyue Lu
- Biotechnology Research Center, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Huifang Wang
- Biotechnology Research Center, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ning Li
- Biotechnology Research Center, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Guimei Song
- Biotechnology Research Center, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Qiankuan Zhu
- Biotechnology Research Center, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jingxin Sun
- Biotechnology Research Center, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yongjun Zhang
- Biotechnology Research Center, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
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23
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Tong C, Wei J, Pan G, Li C, Zhou Z. Study of Pathogenesis Using Fluorescent Strain of Cordyceps farinosa Revealed Infection of Thitarodes armoricanus Larvae via Digestive Tract. INSECTS 2022; 13:1039. [PMID: 36354862 PMCID: PMC9698661 DOI: 10.3390/insects13111039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Revised: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Cordyceps farinosa is often utilized as a biocontrol agent because of its wide host range, strong lethality, and safety for mammals. Artificial rearing of Thitarodes armoricanus larvae is a prerequisite for the artificial cultivation of Chinese cordyceps, and C. farinosa is the most lethal pathogenic fungus during the rearing process. However, the infection process of C. farinosa is still unclear. In this study, we cloned the promoter of the C. farinosa glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase gene, constructed the EGFP expression cassette, and integrated it into the C. farinosa genome via Agrobacterium transformation. We obtained a fluorescent strain for better observation of the infection process. Using two different inoculation methods of the fluorescent strain, we observed the traditional infection process through the body surface as well as through the digestive tract via feeding. Both infection modes can lead to larval death and mummification. Our findings demonstrated that during the artificial rearing of T. armoricanus, preventing C. farinosa pollution should be an important part of the disinfection of the rearing environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaoqun Tong
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Microsporidia Infection and Prevention, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Junhong Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Microsporidia Infection and Prevention, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Guoqing Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Microsporidia Infection and Prevention, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Chunfeng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Microsporidia Infection and Prevention, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Zeyang Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Microsporidia Infection and Prevention, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
- College of Life Sciences, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing 401331, China
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24
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Host and Environmental Sensing by Entomopathogenic Fungi to Infect Hosts. CURRENT CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY REPORTS 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s40588-022-00185-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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25
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Li S, Liu F, Kang Z, Li X, Lu Y, Li Q, Pang Y, Zheng F, Yin X. Cellular immune responses of the yellow peach moth, Conogethes punctiferalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), to the entomopathogenic fungus, Beauveria bassiana (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae). J Invertebr Pathol 2022; 194:107826. [PMID: 36075444 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2022.107826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The yellow peach moth (YPM), Conogethes punctiferalis, is a destructive insect pest of maize in eastern China and adapts to diverse environments, especially against pathogens. In insects, innate immunity comprising both humoral and cellular defense responses, is the primary defense against invading microbial pathogens. In this study, we identified five types of circulating hemocytes from the hemolymph of YPM larvae and analyzed their alterations and functions in immune responses to the infection of Beauveria bassiana, an entomopathogenic fungus infesting many lepidopteran species. The identified hemocytes included prohemocytes, plasmatocytes, granulocytes, spherulocytes and oenocytoids. Significant decreases of total and differential hemocyte counts were recorded over time in larvae, after they were injected with B. bassiana conidia. Additionally, hemocyte-mediated phagocytosis and nodulation were initiated in the hemolymph of larvae from the B. bassiana conidia challenge. The introduction of DEAE-Sepharose Fast Flow beads stained with Congo red also induced a strong encapsulation response in the larval hemolymph. Our observations unravel the occurrence of phagocytosis, nodulation and encapsulation in the hemocoel of YPM larvae to fight against the fungal infection, and offer the first insight into the YPM immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaohua Li
- College of Plant Protection, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian 271018, China
| | - Fanghua Liu
- College of Plant Protection, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian 271018, China; College of Life Science, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China
| | - Zhiwei Kang
- College of Plant Protection, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian 271018, China; College of Life Science, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China
| | - Xiangdong Li
- College of Plant Protection, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian 271018, China
| | - Yang Lu
- Institute of Plant Protection, Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun 130033, China
| | - Qiyun Li
- Institute of Plant Protection, Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun 130033, China
| | - Yunshun Pang
- College of Plant Protection, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian 271018, China
| | - Fangqiang Zheng
- College of Plant Protection, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian 271018, China.
| | - Xiangchu Yin
- College of Plant Protection, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian 271018, China; College of Life Science, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China.
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An C, Sun C, Li N, Huang B, Jiang J, Shen Y, Wang C, Zhao X, Cui B, Wang C, Li X, Zhan S, Gao F, Zeng Z, Cui H, Wang Y. Nanomaterials and nanotechnology for the delivery of agrochemicals: strategies towards sustainable agriculture. J Nanobiotechnology 2022; 20:11. [PMID: 34983545 PMCID: PMC8725417 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-021-01214-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Nanomaterials (NMs) have received considerable attention in the field of agrochemicals due to their special properties, such as small particle size, surface structure, solubility and chemical composition. The application of NMs and nanotechnology in agrochemicals dramatically overcomes the defects of conventional agrochemicals, including low bioavailability, easy photolysis, and organic solvent pollution, etc. In this review, we describe advances in the application of NMs in chemical pesticides and fertilizers, which are the two earliest and most researched areas of NMs in agrochemicals. Besides, this article concerns with the new applications of NMs in other agrochemicals, such as bio-pesticides, nucleic acid pesticides, plant growth regulators (PGRs), and pheromone. We also discuss challenges and the industrialization trend of NMs in the field of agrochemicals. Constructing nano-agrochemical delivery system via NMs and nanotechnology facilitates the improvement of the stability and dispersion of active ingredients, promotes the precise delivery of agrochemicals, reduces residual pollution and decreases labor cost in different application scenarios, which is potential to maintain the sustainability of agricultural systems and improve food security by increasing the efficacy of agricultural inputs. ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Changcheng An
- Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development in Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Changjiao Sun
- Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development in Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Ningjun Li
- Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development in Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Bingna Huang
- Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development in Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Jiajun Jiang
- Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development in Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Yue Shen
- Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development in Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Chong Wang
- Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development in Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Xiang Zhao
- Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development in Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Bo Cui
- Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development in Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Chunxin Wang
- Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development in Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Xingye Li
- Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development in Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Shenshan Zhan
- Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development in Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Fei Gao
- Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development in Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Zhanghua Zeng
- Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development in Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Haixin Cui
- Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development in Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China.
| | - Yan Wang
- Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development in Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China.
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