Host-dependent contributions of the Cfcdp1 protease gene to virulence in the entomopathogenic fungus Cordyceps fumosorosea.

Background: The genomes of broad host range insect pathogenic fungi, including Cordyceps fumosorosea, encode for a suite of secreted proteases implicated in targeting, penetration, and degradation of the host exoskeleton or cuticle. These cuticle-degrading proteases act as critical virulence factors, but their functions within the biological context, particularly in relation to host specificity, remain poorly characterized.

Result: A C.

The Ifchit1 chitinase gene acts as a critical virulence factor in the insect pathogenic fungus Isaria fumosorosea.

The filamentous fungus, Isaria fumosorosea, is a promising insect biological control agent. Chitinases have been implicated in targeting insect cuticle structures, with biotechnological potential in insect and fungal control. The I.