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Updated: Jun 17, 2026
05:34
Sexual Crosses with the Mucoromycete Phycomyces blakesleeanus
Published on: June 6, 2025
Fungal sex and pathogenesis
1UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland. Geraldine.Butler@ucd.ie
Clinical Microbiology Reviews
|January 13, 2010
Summary
Many human fungal pathogens, like Candida and Aspergillus, may reproduce sexually. Recent genomic studies reveal retained sexual machinery, challenging the asexual assumption and impacting our understanding of fungal disease.
Area of Science:
- Medical Mycology
- Fungal Genetics
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- Human fungal pathogens cause significant morbidity and mortality.
- Major pathogens include Candida, Aspergillus, and Cryptococcus species.
- Many were historically considered asexual, but genomic data suggest otherwise.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the evidence for sexual reproduction in human fungal pathogens.
- To discuss the evolution of mating-type loci in key fungal clades.
- To explore mechanisms of sexual cycle suppression and links to pathogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent genomic sequencing data.
- Experimental validation of predicted sexual cycles.
- Comparative analysis of mating-type locus evolution.
- Examination of genetic and environmental factors influencing sexual reproduction.
Main Results:
- Genomic evidence indicates many fungal pathogens retain genes for sexual reproduction.
- Cryptic or rare sexual cycles have been experimentally confirmed in some species.
- Mating-type locus evolution varies across Ascomycetes and Basidiomycetes.
- Mechanisms for suppressing sexual reproduction are diverse.
Conclusions:
- Sexual reproduction is likely more common in human fungal pathogens than previously thought.
- Understanding fungal sex is crucial for comprehending pathogen biology and evolution.
- Investigating sexual cycles may reveal new therapeutic targets for fungal infections.
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