Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 17, 2026

Isolation and Selection of Entomopathogenic Fungi from Soil Samples and Evaluation of Fungal Virulence against Insect Pests
09:42

Isolation and Selection of Entomopathogenic Fungi from Soil Samples and Evaluation of Fungal Virulence against Insect Pests

Published on: September 28, 2021

DFVF: database of fungal virulence factors

Tao Lu1, Bo Yao, Chi Zhang

  • 1School of Biological Sciences, Center for Plant Science and Innovation, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA.

Database : the Journal of Biological Databases and Curation
|October 25, 2012
PubMed

Insights

A new database catalogs 2058 fungal virulence genes from 228 strains, aiding research into emerging fungal pathogens affecting plants and animals. This resource supports critical bioinformatics and bench studies on fungal disease threats.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Pathogenomics
  • Bioinformatics

Background:

  • Fungal pathogens pose significant threats to plant and animal health, yet emerging threats are poorly understood.
  • Limited availability of fungal virulence gene databases hinders effective bioinformatics research.
  • Understanding fungal virulence factors is crucial for developing countermeasures.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To construct a comprehensive online database of known fungal virulence factors.
  • To consolidate information on pathogenic genes from diverse fungal strains.
  • To facilitate bioinformatics and bench research on fungal pathogens.

Main Methods:

  • Compiled data on 2058 pathogenic genes.
  • Included genes from 228 fungal strains across 85 genera.
  • Developed an accessible online database platform.

Main Results:

  • Established a centralized repository of fungal virulence factors.
  • The database contains 2058 pathogenic genes from 228 fungal strains.
  • Provides a valuable resource for researchers studying fungal pathogenesis.

Conclusions:

  • The created database serves as a pivotal platform for fungal pathogen research.
  • Facilitates further investigations into fungal virulence mechanisms.
  • Aims to stimulate and support future studies on emerging fungal threats.

More Related Videos

Live-cell Imaging of Fungal Cells to Investigate Modes of Entry and Subcellular Localization of Antifungal Plant Defensins08:39

Live-cell Imaging of Fungal Cells to Investigate Modes of Entry and Subcellular Localization of Antifungal Plant Defensins

Published on: December 24, 2017

Whole Genome Sequencing of Candida glabrata for Detection of Markers of Antifungal Drug Resistance08:45

Whole Genome Sequencing of Candida glabrata for Detection of Markers of Antifungal Drug Resistance

Published on: December 28, 2017

Related Concept Videos

Regulation of Bacterial Virulence01:28

Regulation of Bacterial Virulence

Pathogenic bacteria employ a range of regulatory mechanisms to modulate the expression of virulence genes in response to environmental and host-derived signals. These mechanisms ensure that virulence factors are expressed only under favorable conditions, thereby optimizing infection and survival strategies.Mechanisms of Virulence RegulationKey regulatory strategies include:Two-Component Systems: These consist of a membrane-bound sensor kinase and a cytoplasmic response regulator. Environmental...
Fungal Phylum Microsporidia01:28

Fungal Phylum Microsporidia

Microsporidia are a group of obligate intracellular fungi that were initially classified as protists but were later reclassified based on phylogenetic, molecular, and structural evidence linking them to the Chytridiomycota. These unicellular, non-motile organisms are highly specialized parasites that infect a wide range of animal hosts, including humans. They have evolved extensive genomic and metabolic reductions, making them highly dependent on their hosts for survival.Morphology and Genomic...
Antifungal Agents01:15

Antifungal Agents

Amphotericin B is a broad-spectrum antifungal agent that exploits structural differences between fungal and mammalian cell membranes. Its amphipathic structure—featuring a hydrophobic polyene-lactone ring and a hydrophilic region containing mycosamine and carboxylic acid groups—enables selective binding to ergosterol, a sterol predominantly found in fungal plasma membranes. This selective interaction underlies the drug’s antifungal activity, although weak binding to cholesterol contributes to...
Fungal Phylum Basidiomycota01:26

Fungal Phylum Basidiomycota

Basidiomycota is a diverse phylum of fungi that includes ecologically significant decomposers such as white rot fungi, symbionts like mycorrhizal fungi, plant pathogens such as rusts and smuts, and edible species like Agaricus bisporus (the common button mushroom). These fungi play crucial roles in nutrient cycling, symbiotic relationships, and even human health. Their defining feature is the basidium, a microscopic club-shaped structure responsible for producing basidiospores.Fruiting Bodies...
Fungal Group Zygomycota01:29

Fungal Group Zygomycota

Zygomycota, previously classified as a distinct fungal group, are primarily terrestrial, saprophytic molds that play a crucial role as decomposers. Recent phylogenetic studies have revealed that these fungi are now divided into two major clades — Mucoromycota, which includes many symbiotic species, and Zoopagomycota, which primarily consists of parasitic and pathogenic fungi. These groups exhibit distinct ecological roles and reproductive strategies while sharing key structural and...
Fungal Phylum Ascomycota01:28

Fungal Phylum Ascomycota

Phylum Ascomycota, a major division within the subkingdom Dikarya, comprises a diverse range of fungal species, including both unicellular yeasts and filamentous molds such as Aspergillus and Penicillium. These fungi thrive in a variety of habitats, from aquatic ecosystems to terrestrial environments, playing crucial ecological and economic roles.Morphology and ReproductionThe defining characteristic of Ascomycetes, commonly referred to as sac fungi, is the ascus—a sac-like structure that...