Disruption of an adenylate-forming reductase required for conidiation, increases virulence of the insect pathogenic fungus Metarhizium acridum by enhancing cuticle invasion

Pest Management Science
Haoyu GuoGuoxiong Peng

Abstract

Metarhizium acridum, is a specific acridid pathogen developed for use against the migratory locust (Locusta migratoria manilensis). Adenylate-forming reductases (AFRs) include enzymes that are involved in natural product biosynthesis. Here, we genetically characterize the functions of a class IV AFR in M. acridum (MaAfrIV ) on fungal development and virulence. Gene expression analyses indicated MaAfrIV was induced on locust wings early during the infection process. Surprisingly, loss of MaAfrIV increased virulence (25.20% decrease in the median lethal time) against the locust in topical bioassays but was no different than the wild type when the cuticle was bypassed by direct infection of conidia into the insect hemocoel. Virulence markers including protease (Pr1) expression and appressorial turgor pressure were higher in the mutant than the parent strain. No difference was seen in the expression of host immune genes (Toll pathway) or in polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity in locusts infected by the ΔMaAfrIV or wild type strains. However, the ΔMaAfrIV strain was unable to successfully sporulate on dead cadavers. Disruption of MaAfrIV increased fungal virulence by promoting insect cuticle invasion without altering host immune respo...Continue Reading

References

Apr 25, 1993·Nucleic Acids Research·C L CreasyL W Bergman
Jun 25, 1996·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·R St LegerD W Roberts
May 1, 1996·Trends in Microbiology·J M Clarkson, A K Charnley
Dec 13, 2000·Microbes and Infection·H B DeisingM Wernitz
Feb 16, 2002·Methods : a Companion to Methods in Enzymology·K J Livak, T D Schmittgen
Nov 27, 2002·Applied and Environmental Microbiology·Gang Hu, Raymond J St Leger
Jul 15, 2004·Advances in Applied Microbiology·Donald W Roberts, Raymond J St Leger
Jan 13, 2005·Microsurgery·Hani S MatloubDanny A Riley
Sep 10, 2005·Applied and Environmental Microbiology·Diane J Holder, Nemat O Keyhani
May 29, 2007·The Journal of Biological Chemistry·Chengshu Wang, Raymond J St Leger
Nov 13, 2007·Nature Biotechnology·Chengshu Wang, Raymond J St Leger
Jul 25, 2009·Mycologia·Joseph F BischoffRichard A Humber
Dec 7, 2011·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Sibao WangRaymond J St Leger
Feb 18, 2012·Trends in Biotechnology·Travis GlareAlison Stewart
May 9, 2014·Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology·Xinggang LiaoRaymond J St Leger
May 20, 2014·Applied and Environmental Microbiology·Linzhi YangYanhua Fan
Aug 3, 2014·Applied and Environmental Microbiology·Daniel KalbDirk Hoffmeister
Aug 13, 2014·Current Genetics·Almudena Ortiz-Urquiza, Nemat O Keyhani
Aug 26, 2014·Natural Product Reports·Donna M GibsonNemat O Keyhani
Aug 30, 2014·Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology·Guoxiong Peng, Yuxian Xia
Jan 1, 2013·Insects·Almudena Ortiz-Urquiza, Nemat O Keyhani
May 1, 2016·Advances in Genetics·H ZhaoW Fang
May 1, 2016·Advances in Genetics·A Ortiz-Urquiza, N O Keyhani
Jul 28, 2016·Fungal Genetics and Biology : FG & B·Eileen BrandenburgerDirk Hoffmeister
Nov 20, 2016·Annual Review of Entomology·Chengshu Wang, Sibao Wang
Feb 15, 2017·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Yanhua FanSheng Tong
Aug 12, 2017·Environmental Microbiology·Xue ZhangJin-Rong Xu
Sep 15, 2017·Pest Management Science·Brian Lovett, Raymond John St Leger
May 29, 2018·Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology·Drion G BouciasNemat O Keyhani

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.