Culture Degeneration Reduces Sex-Related Gene Expression, Alters Metabolite Production and Reduces Insect Pathogenic Response in <i>Cordyceps militaris</i>
<i>Cordyceps </i><i>militaris</i> is an entomopathogenic ascomycete, known primarily for infecting lepidopteran larval (caterpillars) and pupal hosts. Cordycepin, a secondary metabolite produced by this fungus has anti-inflammatory properties and other pharmacological activit...
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MDPI AG
2021-07-01
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| Series: | Microorganisms |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/9/8/1559 |
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| author | Peter A. D. Wellham Abdul Hafeez Andrej Gregori Matthias Brock Dong-Hyun Kim David Chandler Cornelia H. de Moor |
| author_facet | Peter A. D. Wellham Abdul Hafeez Andrej Gregori Matthias Brock Dong-Hyun Kim David Chandler Cornelia H. de Moor |
| author_sort | Peter A. D. Wellham |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <i>Cordyceps </i><i>militaris</i> is an entomopathogenic ascomycete, known primarily for infecting lepidopteran larval (caterpillars) and pupal hosts. Cordycepin, a secondary metabolite produced by this fungus has anti-inflammatory properties and other pharmacological activities. However, little is known about the biological role of this adenosine derivate and its stabilising compound pentostatin in the context of insect infection the life cycle of <i>C. militaris</i>. During repeated subcultivation under laboratory conditions a degeneration of <i>C. militaris</i> marked by decreasing levels of cordycepin production can occur. Here, using degenerated and parental control strains of an isolate of <i>C. militaris</i>, we found that lower cordycepin production coincides with the decline in the production of various other metabolites as well as the reduced expression of genes related to sexual development. Additionally, infection of <i>Galleria mellonella</i> (greater wax moth) caterpillars indicated that cordycepin inhibits the immune response in host haemocytes. Accordingly, the pathogenic response to the degenerated strain was reduced. These data indicate that there are simultaneous changes in sexual reproduction, secondary metabolite production, insect immunity and infection by <i>C. militaris</i>. This study may have implications for biological control of insect crop pests by fungi. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T08:35:14Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-81a4988bfeab4e4796b0a3b636a98de6 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-2607 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T08:35:14Z |
| publishDate | 2021-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Microorganisms |
| spelling | doaj.art-81a4988bfeab4e4796b0a3b636a98de62023-11-22T08:45:30ZengMDPI AGMicroorganisms2076-26072021-07-0198155910.3390/microorganisms9081559Culture Degeneration Reduces Sex-Related Gene Expression, Alters Metabolite Production and Reduces Insect Pathogenic Response in <i>Cordyceps militaris</i>Peter A. D. Wellham0Abdul Hafeez1Andrej Gregori2Matthias Brock3Dong-Hyun Kim4David Chandler5Cornelia H. de Moor6Gene Regulation and RNA Biology Laboratory, Division of Molecular Therapeutics and Formulation, School of Pharmacy, University Park Campus, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UKGene Regulation and RNA Biology Laboratory, Division of Molecular Therapeutics and Formulation, School of Pharmacy, University Park Campus, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UKMycomedica d.o.o., Podkoren 72, 4280 Kranjska Gora, SloveniaFungal Genetics and Biology Group, School of Life Sciences, University Park Campus, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UKCentre for Analytical Bioscience, Advanced Materials and Healthcare Technologies Division, School of Pharmacy, University Park Campus, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UKWarwick Crop Centre, School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Warwick CV35 9EF, UKGene Regulation and RNA Biology Laboratory, Division of Molecular Therapeutics and Formulation, School of Pharmacy, University Park Campus, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK<i>Cordyceps </i><i>militaris</i> is an entomopathogenic ascomycete, known primarily for infecting lepidopteran larval (caterpillars) and pupal hosts. Cordycepin, a secondary metabolite produced by this fungus has anti-inflammatory properties and other pharmacological activities. However, little is known about the biological role of this adenosine derivate and its stabilising compound pentostatin in the context of insect infection the life cycle of <i>C. militaris</i>. During repeated subcultivation under laboratory conditions a degeneration of <i>C. militaris</i> marked by decreasing levels of cordycepin production can occur. Here, using degenerated and parental control strains of an isolate of <i>C. militaris</i>, we found that lower cordycepin production coincides with the decline in the production of various other metabolites as well as the reduced expression of genes related to sexual development. Additionally, infection of <i>Galleria mellonella</i> (greater wax moth) caterpillars indicated that cordycepin inhibits the immune response in host haemocytes. Accordingly, the pathogenic response to the degenerated strain was reduced. These data indicate that there are simultaneous changes in sexual reproduction, secondary metabolite production, insect immunity and infection by <i>C. militaris</i>. This study may have implications for biological control of insect crop pests by fungi.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/9/8/1559entomopathogendegeneration<i>Cordyceps militaris</i><i>Galleria mellonella</i>metabolomicsfungal sexual biology |
| spellingShingle | Peter A. D. Wellham Abdul Hafeez Andrej Gregori Matthias Brock Dong-Hyun Kim David Chandler Cornelia H. de Moor Culture Degeneration Reduces Sex-Related Gene Expression, Alters Metabolite Production and Reduces Insect Pathogenic Response in <i>Cordyceps militaris</i> Microorganisms entomopathogen degeneration <i>Cordyceps militaris</i> <i>Galleria mellonella</i> metabolomics fungal sexual biology |
| title | Culture Degeneration Reduces Sex-Related Gene Expression, Alters Metabolite Production and Reduces Insect Pathogenic Response in <i>Cordyceps militaris</i> |
| title_full | Culture Degeneration Reduces Sex-Related Gene Expression, Alters Metabolite Production and Reduces Insect Pathogenic Response in <i>Cordyceps militaris</i> |
| title_fullStr | Culture Degeneration Reduces Sex-Related Gene Expression, Alters Metabolite Production and Reduces Insect Pathogenic Response in <i>Cordyceps militaris</i> |
| title_full_unstemmed | Culture Degeneration Reduces Sex-Related Gene Expression, Alters Metabolite Production and Reduces Insect Pathogenic Response in <i>Cordyceps militaris</i> |
| title_short | Culture Degeneration Reduces Sex-Related Gene Expression, Alters Metabolite Production and Reduces Insect Pathogenic Response in <i>Cordyceps militaris</i> |
| title_sort | culture degeneration reduces sex related gene expression alters metabolite production and reduces insect pathogenic response in i cordyceps militaris i |
| topic | entomopathogen degeneration <i>Cordyceps militaris</i> <i>Galleria mellonella</i> metabolomics fungal sexual biology |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/9/8/1559 |
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