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Virulensome: a transient organelle mediating fungal virulence

Pei-Ji Zhao1, Qian-Yi Hu1, Si-Han Wang1

  • 1State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Yunnan Key Laboratory of Basic Research and Innovative Application for Green Biological Production, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650091, China.

Science China. Life Sciences
|June 16, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Fungal pathogens use a novel organelle, the virulensome, to deliver destructive enzymes. This membrane-bound vesicle targets nematode hosts, revealing a new mechanism of fungal pathogenesis.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Pathogen Biology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Fungal pathogens employ sophisticated systems to breach host defenses.
  • No dedicated pathogenic organelles have been identified in fungi to date.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify and characterize novel pathogenic organelles in fungi.
  • To elucidate the mechanism of pathogenesis in the nematode-trapping fungus *Dactylellina haptotyla*.

Main Methods:

  • Density-gradient isolation of fungal vesicles.
  • Quantitative proteomics to identify organelle components.
  • Gene knockout studies and recombinant protein assays.
  • Live-cell super-resolution imaging.

Main Results:

  • A transient, membrane-bound vesicle, termed the virulensome, was identified in *D. haptotyla* infection structures.
  • Virulensome-enriched fractions demonstrated high lethality against *Caenorhabditis elegans* larvae and cuticle perforation.
  • Proteomics revealed 486 core components, including numerous peptidases and glycoside hydrolases.
  • Knockout of key virulensome proteins significantly reduced organelle abundance and fungal virulence.
  • Recombinant effector proteins showed potent nematode-killing activity in vitro.
  • Live imaging demonstrated virulensome polarization, disintegration at the host interface, and targeted release of effectors.

Conclusions:

  • The virulensome is a novel pathogenic organelle responsible for packaging and delivering destructive enzymes in fungi.
  • This discovery reveals an unrecognized mechanism of fungal pathogenesis involving targeted enzyme delivery.
  • The virulensome represents a potential target for novel antifungal strategies against nematode-trapping fungi.
Keywords:
hydrolytic enzymesnematode-trapping fungivirulence organellevirulensome

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