Genetically engineering better fungal biopesticides

Brian Lovett; Raymond John St. Leger

doi:10.1002/ps.4734

journal article Nov 14, 2017

Genetically engineering better fungal biopesticides

Brian Lovett

Raymond John St. Leger

Pest Management Science Vol. 74 No. 4 pp. 781-789 · Wiley

View at Publisher Save 10.1002/ps.4734

Abstract

AbstractMicrobial insect pathogens offer an alternative means of pest control with the potential to wean us off our heavy reliance on chemical pesticides. Insect pathogenic fungi play an important natural role in controlling disease vectors and agricultural pests. Most commercial products employ Ascomycetes in the genera Metarhizium and Beauveria. However, their utilization has been limited by inconsistent field results as a consequence of sensitivity to abiotic stresses and naturally low virulence. Other naturally occurring biocontrol agents also face these hurdles to successful application, but the availability of complete genomes and recombinant DNA technologies have facilitated design of multiple fungal pathogens with enhanced virulence and stress resistance. Many natural and synthetic genes have been inserted into entomopathogen genomes. Some of the biggest gains in virulence have been obtained using genes encoding neurotoxic peptides, peptides that manipulate host physiology and proteases and chitinases that degrade the insect cuticle. Prokaryotes, particularly extremophiles, are useful sources of genes for improving entomopathogen resistance to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. These biological insecticides are environmentally friendly and cost‐effective insect pest control options. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry

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Metrics

121

Citations

89

References

Details

Published: Nov 14, 2017
Vol/Issue: 74(4)
Pages: 781-789
License: View

Authors

B

Brian Lovett

Department of Entomology University of Maryland College Park MD USA

R

Raymond John St. Leger

Department of Entomology University of Maryland College Park MD USA

Funding

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Award: RO1 AI106998

Division of Integrative Organismal Systems Award: IOS‐1257685

Cite This Article

Brian Lovett, Raymond John St. Leger (2017). Genetically engineering better fungal biopesticides. Pest Management Science, 74(4), 781-789. https://doi.org/10.1002/ps.4734

Genetically engineering better fungal biopesticides

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