Genomic Determinants of Entomopathogenic Fungi and Their Involvement in Pathogenesis
Ravindra P Vidhate1,2, Vishal V Dawkar1, Sachin A Punekar3
1Plant Molecular Biology Unit, Division of Biochemical Sciences, CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory, Pune, 411008, Maharashtra, India.
Microbial Ecology
|January 3, 2022
Summary
Entomopathogenic fungi use diverse biomolecules and enlarged gene families for insect control. Understanding these mechanisms aids in developing superior fungal biocontrol agents.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Biocontrol
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Entomopathogenic fungi are eco-friendly biocontrol agents.
- Their evolutionary history links them to plant endophytes.
- Host shifting led to unique biomolecular mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review biochemical and molecular mechanisms of entomopathogenesis.
- To highlight the role of specific gene families in fungal virulence.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on entomopathogenic fungi.
- Analysis of gene families associated with virulence factors.
Main Results:
- Entomopathogenic fungi possess distinct biomolecules for host interaction.
- Enlarged gene families of chitinases, proteases, lipases, specialized metabolites, and cytochrome P450 are crucial.
- Fungi utilize different gene products during pathogenesis progression.
Conclusions:
- Understanding fungal-insect bio-molecular interactions is key.
- This knowledge facilitates the development of enhanced entomopathogenic fungal strains for biocontrol.
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