Project description:Transcriptional changes occurring at the infection site of 2 weeks old Cabernet sauvignon grapevine cuttings infected with a wood pathogen (Phaeomoniella chlamydospora) in the presence of a root-inoculated biocontrol agent (Pythium oligandrum). Gene expression profiling was done using the Nimblegen whole genome array with 3 biological replicates of 3 pooled wood chunks harvested 0 and 14 d after treatment (pathogen infection, biocontrol agent inoculation, mock treatment).
Project description:Metarhizium anisopliae, a fungal pathogen of terrestrial arthropods, kills the aquatic larvae of Aedes aegypti, the vector of dengue and yellow fever. The fungus kills without adhering to the host cuticle. Ingested conidia also fail to germinate and are expelled in fecal pellets. This study investigates the mechanism by which this fungus adapted to terrestrial hosts kills aquatic mosquito larvae. Genes associated with the M. anisopliae early pathogenic response (proteinases Pr1 and Pr2, and adhesins, Mad1 and Mad2) are upregulated in the presence of larvae, but the established infection process observed in terrestrial hosts does not progress and insecticidal destruxins were not detected. Protease inhibitors reduce larval mortality indicating the importance of proteases in the host interaction. The Ae. aegypti immune response to M. anisopliae appears limited, whilst the oxidative stress response gene encoding for thiol peroxidase is upregulated. Cecropin and Hsp70 genes are downregulated as larval death occurs, and insect mortality appears to be linked to autolysis through caspase activity regulated by Hsp70 and inhibited, in infected larvae, by protease inhibitors. Evidence is presented that a traditional host-pathogen response does not occur as the species have not evolved to interact. M. anisopliae retains pre-formed pathogenic determinants which mediate host mortality, but unlike true aquatic fungal pathogens, does not recognise and colonise the larval host.
Project description:We used RNA-Seq to compare transcriptional responses of M. anisopliae and M. acridum to infection of the optically clear hind wings of adult locusts and cockroaches. It was calculated that >82% of predicted M. anisopliae genes and >88% of predicted M. acridum genes were expressed during pre-penetration growth. Germination and growth by M. anisopliae and M. acridum on either insect triggered high level expression of genes associated with translation and post-translational modifications. Between 6 to 10% of the genes that were highly expressed by M. anisopliae and M. acridum on host cuticles encoded cell wall proteins. Consistent with early host recognition events being key to establishing specificity, M. acridum but not M. anisopliae transcribed different Pth11-like GPCRs on locust and cockroach cuticles, thus differential activation of different signaling pathways.
Project description:a high-throughput Illumina/Solexa sequencing was conducted, 478262, 702593, 835394 and 894277 unique sRNAs was discovered from four periods of M. robertsii infection, uninfected (0h), infected for 12h, 24h and 36h. Then, 7, 7, 6 and 7 known pre-miRNAs were obtained, and 33, 58, 54 and 52 candidate novel miRNAs was detected in four periods. Further analysis showed that 24 of those candidate novel miRNAs were matched to other known insect miRNAs, while 36 of those miRNAs lacked sequence homologues of insect organisms.
Project description:We present two cases of keratitis due to Metarhizium anisopliae in geographically separated areas of the United States. The isolates were microscopically similar but morphologically different and were identified by ribosomal DNA sequencing. Both isolates had low minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values to caspofungin and micafungin, but high MIC values to amphotericin B. The morphologic and antifungal susceptibility differences between the two isolates indicate possible polyphylogeny of the group.
Project description:Entomopathogenic fungi are naturally existing microbes, that can serve as a key regulator of insect pests in integrated pest management strategies. Besides having no hazardous effects on the environment, these entomopathogens are alternatives to synthetic insecticides that can control notorious insect-like Plutella xylostella, a destructive pest of cruciferous crops. Three different species of entomopathogenic fungi were evaluated before the selection (high larval mortality and least LC50) of Metarhizum anisopliae. The study was designed to investigate the mortality, development, and immune responses of P. xylostella when challenged with M. anisopliae, a naturally existing soil-borne entomopathogenic fungus. M. anisopliae resulted in high pest mortality by killing 93% of larvae. However, no statistically significant effect on hemocyte concentration was observed. The activity of enzymes (Phenoloxidase and Superoxide dismutase) and immune genes (Defensin, Spaetzle, Cecropin, Lysozyme, and Hemolin) did vary at different time points (24, 48, 72 and 96 h) after exposure to M. anisopliae. Disturbance in the biological cycles of P. xylostella was also detected, significantly shorter adult life span (8.11:6.87, M:F) and reduced fecundity (101 eggs/female) were observed along with disturbed larval and pupal duration. Results suggest that M. anisopliae can efficiently hinder the P. xylostella defense and developmental system, resulting in mortality and disturbed demography.