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Updated: Jan 9, 2026
Development of Metarhizium anisopliae as a Mycoinsecticide: From Isolation to Field Performance
Published on: July 30, 2017
Gene clusters potentially involved in the virulence of Metarhizium anisopliae
Mauren Larangeira Ramos1, Maria Eduarda Deluca João1, Francisco Nunes Mielke1
1Programa de Pós-graduação Em Biologia Celular e Molecular, Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande Do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves, 9500 - Agronomia, Porto Alegre, RS, 91501-970, Brazil.
Abstract:
Metarhizium anisopliae is an entomopathogenic fungus that infects a diversity of arthropods and is considered a model for studies of fungal-insect relationships. The infection process is composed of several steps and involves the production of diverse secondary metabolites (SM). We performed insilico analysis to examine the potential role of M. anisopliae biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs), which are responsible for the production of SMs), in virulence. We analyzed expression data from various conditions and created co-expression networks to infer how these BGCs might participate in the infection process. A cluster of co-expressed genes was identified with a high correlation during tick infection by M. anisopliae. To get more insights about the participation of such clusters in the infection process, we evaluated the expression of backbone genes from seven BGCs by employing RT-qPCR from RNA isolated from M. anisopliae cultured with the cells of amoeba Acanthamoeba castellanii, a model that mimics the interaction of fungal cells with phagocytes from insects. The gene MANI_006155, from the BGC MaNRPS12, showed statistically significant increased expression levels compared to control conditions. These results suggest that the applied protocol can be used to identify BGCs important for the virulence of Metarhizium species.
Insights
Metarhizium anisopliae uses secondary metabolites (SMs) during insect infection. This study identified key gene clusters involved in virulence, offering a new method to study fungal-insect interactions.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Molecular Biology
- Bioinformatics
Background:
- Metarhizium anisopliae is a model entomopathogenic fungus studied for its interactions with insects.
- Fungal virulence involves complex processes, including the production of secondary metabolites (SMs).
- Biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) are responsible for SM production, but their role in virulence requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of M. anisopliae biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) in fungal virulence.
- To identify specific BGCs associated with the infection process using in silico analysis and gene expression profiling.
- To develop a protocol for identifying virulence-associated BGCs in Metarhizium species.
Main Methods:
- In silico analysis of M. anisopliae BGCs and gene expression data.
- Construction of co-expression networks to infer BGC function during infection.
- RT-qPCR analysis of BGC backbone genes using M. anisopliae cultured with Acanthamoeba castellanii.
Main Results:
- A co-expressed gene cluster showed high correlation during tick infection by M. anisopliae.
- The gene MANI_006155, part of the MaNRPS12 BGC, exhibited significantly increased expression when M. anisopliae interacted with Acanthamoeba castellanii.
- This suggests a potential role for MaNRPS12 in virulence.
Conclusions:
- The study successfully identified a potential virulence-associated BGC in M. anisopliae.
- The developed protocol using Acanthamoeba castellanii co-culture and RT-qPCR is effective for identifying BGCs important for Metarhizium virulence.
- This approach can be applied to study other Metarhizium species and enhance our understanding of fungal-insect interactions.
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