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Toxin Induction and Protein Extraction from Fusarium spp. Cultures for Proteomic Studies
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Extracellular vesicles from Fusarium oxysporum can induce a cytotoxic response in an invertebrate model

Deisiany Gomes Ferreira1, Bruna Sabatke2, Izadora Volpato Rossi2

  • 1Department of Clinical Analysis, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Maringá, Paraná, 87020-900, Brazil.

Journal of Applied Microbiology
|July 30, 2025
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Fungal extracellular vesicles (EVs) from Fusarium oxysporum show distinct release patterns and increased cytotoxicity, especially from biofilms. These EVs can communicate and cause significant cell death in vitro and mortality in vivo.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Cell Biology
  • Pathogen Research

Background:

  • Fungi utilize extracellular vesicles (EVs) for intercellular communication.
  • EVs exhibit species- and form-dependent variations in size and content.
  • Fusarium oxysporum is a significant plant and human pathogen.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the release characteristics of EVs from Fusarium oxysporum.
  • To compare the structure and biological effects of EVs from planktonic and biofilm forms.
  • To assess the in vitro and in vivo pathogenicity of Fusarium oxysporum EVs.

Main Methods:

  • Culturing Fusarium oxysporum in planktonic and biofilm forms.
  • Characterizing and quantifying released extracellular vesicles.
  • Assessing cytotoxicity of EVs on human cells in vitro.
  • Evaluating the pathogenicity of EVs in a Tenebrio molitor infection model.

Main Results:

  • EV release from planktonic Fusarium oxysporum increased exponentially after 120 hours.
  • Biofilm-derived EVs showed distinct characteristics and peaked at 24 hours, with higher concentrations within the biofilm.
  • EVs from 48-hour mature biofilms were highly cytotoxic (>95% cell death) and induced mortality in vivo.
  • EV size was consistent with other fungal species.

Conclusions:

  • Extracellular vesicles play a role in fungal communication.
  • Fusarium oxysporum EVs, particularly from biofilms, possess significant cytotoxic and pathogenic potential.
  • EVs can transport molecules that trigger pathogenic effects.
Keywords:
Fusarium oxysporumbiofilmcell viabilityextracellular vesicles

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