Comparative Account of Generalist and Specialist Species of the Entomopathogenic Fungus, Metarhizium

摘要: Fungi belonging to the genus Metarhizium are one of most versatile entomopathogens infecting a wide range insects and causing natural epizootics in agricultural fields. But not all species this have host range. M. anisopliae, for instance, has very broad with potential infect nearly 100 insect species, whereas its close relative acridum narrow only locusts grasshoppers. Recent molecular advancements field genomics transcriptomics revealed substantial differences these two relatives respect their anisopliae produces large number diverse secreted proteins when compared which allows it wider hosts. Unlike lacks genes encode toxic secondary metabolite, destruxin, suppresses innate immunity during fungal pathogenesis aids fungus take over body. Nevertheless, was recently shown that can be expanded by transforming Mest1 gene, encoding an esterase, from anisopliae.