Fungal infection of insects: molecular insights and prospects

Trends Microbiol. 2023 Sep 29:S0966-842X(23)00266-4. doi: 10.1016/j.tim.2023.09.005. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTEntomopathogenic fungi (EPF) distribute in different fungal phyla with variable host ranges and play essential role in regulating insect populations by infecting hosts via cuticle penetration. The representative ascomycete EPF of Metarhizium and Beauveria species have been widely used in mechanistic investigations of fungus-insect interactions and as ecofriendly mycoinsecticides. Here, we review the function of diverse genes, pathways, and secondary metabolites associated with EPF stepwise infections. In particular, emerging evidence has shown that EPF have to outcompete insect ectomicrobiotas prior to penetrating cuticles, and subvert or evade host antifungal immunity by using effector-like proteins and chemicals like plant pathogens. Future prospects are discussed for a better understanding of fungal pathobiology, which will provide novel insights into microbe-animal interactions.PMID:37778923 | DOI:10.1016/j.tim.2023.09.005
Source: Trends in Microbiology - Category: Microbiology Authors: Source Type: research