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Mass Production of Entomopathogenic Fungi, Metarhizium robertsii and Metarhizium pinghaense, for Commercial Application Against Insect Pests
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Reprogramming the virulence: Insect defense molecules navigating the epigenetic landscape of Metarhizium robertsii

Abid Hussain1

  • 1a Laboratory of Bio-Control and Molecular Biology, Department of Arid Land Agriculture , College of Agricultural and Food Sciences, King Faisal University , Hofuf, Al-Ahsa , Saudi Arabia.

Virulence
|March 6, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Metarhizium fungi are vital bio-control agents that infect insects via conidial adherence. Their virulence relies on specific proteolytic enzymes, shaped by host-pathogen coevolution.

Area of Science:

  • Agricultural Entomology
  • Microbial Pathogenesis
  • Biocontrol Agents

Background:

  • Metarhizium species are extensively studied for their efficacy in controlling agricultural, forest, public health, stored grain, and urban insect pests.
  • Infection by Metarhizium initiates with conidial adherence to the insect cuticle, triggering disease development and pathogenesis.

Discussion:

  • Pathogen virulence is increasingly linked to the production of specific proteolytic enzymes, including metalloproteinases, chymotrypsin-like proteinases, and subtilisin-like proteinases.
  • The selection and deployment of these virulence-related proteinases are critical for successful host pathogenesis.

Key Insights:

  • Metarhizium's pathogenic success hinges on a precisely evolved suite of proteolytic enzymes.
  • Host-pathogen coevolution drives the specific enzyme profiles that enhance Metarhizium virulence.

Outlook:

  • Further research into Metarhizium proteolytic enzymes can refine biocontrol strategies.
  • Understanding coevolutionary dynamics may lead to novel pest management solutions.
Keywords:
CoevolutionEntomopathogenic fungiEpigeneticsHost-pathogen interactionPathogenesisVirulence

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